Final call to come forward for Covid booster

The NHS is urging residents to come forward for their Covid boosters before the vaccination programme pauses temporarily next month.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that, thanks to the success of the Covid vaccine programme, the offer of an initial booster dose should end on Sunday 12 February.

This means that anyone who is aged 18 to 49 who has had their first two Covid vaccinations has a limited time left to take up the booster dose.

Anyone who hasn’t yet had their first or second vaccination can still get these doses through they GP or some local pharmacies – that offer remains open and will continue beyond 12 February.

Jane Scattergood, senior responsible officer for the Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 vaccination programme, said:

Over the last two years, the Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 vaccination programme has administered almost 4.4 million doses, helping to ensure that the public have widespread protection from COVID-19 and its variants.

Following the decision to bring the booster offer to an end, it is still important that people make an appointment in the next couple of weeks if they are still yet to have their booster.

The JCVI will set out further guidance on who will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in future phases of the programme, and the NHS will make sure the vaccine is as accessible and convenient to those eligible – as it has been in each of the previous campaigns.”

Abdul Razaq, Director of Public Health for Blackburn with Darwen, added:

While cases of Covid have fallen, the virus is still around and can make some people, particular those with underlying health conditions, very poorly. It is thanks to the NHS Covid vaccination programme that we are such a strong position at this stage of the winter.

The message now is clear: anyone who didn’t have their booster dose when they were first offered it can come forward to have it now – but they had better be quick. The change to the Covid vaccination programme from 12 February means that these boosters won’t be available after that date.

Having a booster dose tops up our protection against Covid. Boosters work much like chargers for mobile phones with low battery – they give added protection that mean someone has mild symptoms if they catch the virus.”

Covid vaccinations must be booked in advance – walk-in appointments are no longer available.

To make your appointment, use the NHS national booking service: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19