Around seven million people will be receiving letters inviting them to book a winter Covid booster jab in the coming months. The first appointment letters for people in England will land on people's doormats today.
The autumn/winter booster jab will not be offered to everybody in England. But everyone aged 75 or older will be invited for a jab, along with frontline health or social care workers and anybody aged over 12 who has a weakened immune system.
The oldest and most at risk will be offered jabs first. Later in the year, over 50s will also be invited.
Read more: Winter Covid booster drive begins in England's care homes
Many will be offered a new type of vaccine designed to fight multiple Covid-19 strains. These 'bivalent' vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer contain two antigens based on two different strains.
"‘Bivalent’ vaccines have been developed by global manufacturers since the emergence and dominance of the Omicron variant. These vaccines are targeted against antigens (substances that induce an immune response) from 2 different Covid-19 strains or variants," the UK Health Security Agency says.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of COVID-19 immunisation on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said: "It is very encouraging that more vaccines continue to become available and we now have another option to add to the vaccines already advised for the autumn booster campaign.
"Winter is typically the time of greatest threat from respiratory infections. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to have their booster vaccine this autumn when it is offered. This is our best defence against becoming severely ill from COVID-19."
Once people receive a letter they can book an appointment online or call 119.
"The NHS will contact people when it is their turn to book in for the vaccine – you do not need to contact the NHS," adds NHS England.
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