Almost half of the population of England is due to receive a coronavirus booster jab this autumn, ahead of another expected wave of infection this winter.
This booster programme is being rolled out in parts, with care home residents and the most elderly or vulnerable receiving the vaccine first - with all over 65s now eligible for their jab.
Covid expert and founder of the ZOE symptom reporting app, Professor Tim Spector, cautioned that the UK is already seeing the start of this next wave, with one in 44 Brits already infected with the airborne virus that has caused global death, lockdowns and restrictions since first emerging in December 2019.
Getting this booster inoculation will help to prevent the virus from spreading, lower hospitalisations, and ultimately prevent the health service from being overwhelmed this winter.
The NHS director of vaccinations Steve Russell said that there was "no room for complacency in keeping Covid-19 on the back-foot " after the UK's previous successful booster programmes.
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How to book your autumn covid booster
Currently, everyone aged over 65, or anyone who is a resident of a care home, is eligible to receive another dose of the coronavirus vaccine. People who work in frontline professions, such as nurses and ambulance staff, have also been invited to get the additional protection, as well as pregnant women.
If you are eligible and want to get protected, all you have to do to book your appointment is ring the NHS on 119, or use their website to book online. The only restriction is that it must be at least three months since your last covid vaccine dose.
As with previous programmes, you will be able to book your vaccine at a variety of vaccination hubs, like hospitals and community centres, or at your local health practice. Whilst there, you may also be offered a seasonal flu vaccine if you are in a vulnerable group - which is safe to get at the same time as the covid jab.
Additionally, if the whim takes you to get vaccinated but you have not booked an appointment, any eligible person can attend a vaccination walk-in centre with no booking and get jabbed on the spot.
Who else will be eligible for the autumn booster?
If you would like to get a booster jab, but have not yet been invited, the health service is set to roll out the programme further once these most vulnerable groups have been reached. According to the NHS, you can now book an appointment for a booster jab if you fit into the following groups:
- Aged 65 or over
- Pregnant people
-
Frontline health or care workers
Other people who will qualify for an NHS booster soon include:
- Adults aged five to 49 with health conditions that put them at greater risk
- Carers
- Adults aged 50 and over
In order to get to the most vulnerable groups first, the NHS is contacting the elderly first but aims to reach all of these groups before winter begins to draw in.
