Spring Covid booster jab to be offered to over 75s and vulnerable this week

20 March 2022, 00:00

Sajid Javid said the spring booster jab will help "top up their protection against this virus".
Sajid Javid said the spring booster jab will help "top up their protection against this virus". Picture: Alamy

By Sophie Barnett

The elderly and vulnerable will be offered another coronavirus booster jab from this week to maintain their protection against the virus, the NHS has announced.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Care home residents, people who are 75 and over, and the immunosuppressed aged 12 and over will be contacted from this week to come forward for their spring booster jab.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the top-up jab would help those at the highest risk of serious Covid maintain a high level of protection against the virus.

Around 600,000 people will be invited to book their dose this week, with a total of around five million people expected to be given the jab, the health service said.

"Our phenomenal vaccination programme has saved countless lives and built a wall of defence which has allowed us to learn to live with Covid," Mr Javid said.

"Following the massive success of the rollout so far, we are now offering over-75s and the most vulnerable a spring booster dose to top up their protection against this virus."

Read more: Putin in 'panic' over revolution in Moscow as hypersonic missiles launched in Ukraine

Boris Johnson says 'our scientists are certain that there will be new variants'

People will be contacted when it is their time to come forward for the vaccine and, once they have an invitation, they will be able to book their appointment through the National Booking System either online or by calling NHS 119.

Local NHS teams will also be administering the jab in care homes.

Adults will be offered either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, with any eligible people aged between 12 and 18 offered the Pfizer vaccine.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: "The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has not stopped in its efforts to protect people from coronavirus - around five million of the most vulnerable people will be eligible for a spring dose and from tomorrow, we will start giving eligible groups their additional top up in protection.

Read more: Boris compares Ukraine's fight for freedom to Brexit vote and Brits resisting 'wokeness'

All Covid restrictions to be lifted a month early

"We have protected millions of people at speed thanks to the efforts of our staff, aided by volunteers. They will once again rise to the next challenge.

"There is no need to contact the NHS - when you are eligible for your 'spring boost' of protection, we will be in touch so you can book your appointment at one of hundreds of vaccination sites across the country."

All remaining Covid restrictions were scrapped at the end of February including the legal requirement to self-isolate after testing positive.

Boris Johnson hailed the move a "moment of pride" as he axed all remaining measures.

The government also scrapped mandatory Covid vaccinations for NHS and social care staff in a dramatic U-turn.

The mandate was revoked on March 15 - meaning NHS staff no longer need to be vaccinated by April 1, and care home staff who lost their jobs as a result of the policy will be able to work once more.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal arrives at Molinuex

Millionaire Premier League star earning £150k a week loses HMRC court battle over hundreds of thousands in unpaid tax

Actress Kim Sae-ron attends 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards at Asia World-Expo on December 1, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

South Korean ‘Bloodhounds’ and ‘The Man from Nowhere’ star Kim Sae-ron found dead at 24

Emergency services were called just after 7pm on Friday amid reports a woman had suffered serious injuries

'Screaming, shouting, crying': Landlady breaks silence after woman shot dead at village pub - as manhunt continues

Exclusive
Jonathan Reynolds told LBC’s Iain Dale that NATO is ‘a highly effective integrated defensive structure’, and that US requests for higher European spending on the alliance are ‘not unreasonable’.

Europe must ‘work closely’ with US to face Russia, Business Sec tells LBC ahead of emergency Ukraine summit

.T. Miller #10 of Team USA and Colton Parayko #55 of Team Canada fight during the first period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at the Bell Centre on February 15, 2025

Gloves off: Three fights in first nine seconds as USA beat Canada to reach 4 Nations ice hockey final

Exclusive
Europe must boost defence spending if it wants peace, Ukraine's former PM has told LBC.

‘If you want peace, pay for it', says ex-Ukrainian PM as Starmer to 'overrule' Reeves and boost defence spending

Lucy Letby was ‘shocked and distressed’ during the investigation into the deaths of babies that she was later found guilty of murdering, and ‘deserves an Oscar’ if she was lying, her former boss said.

Lucy Letby was 'innocent', distressed and ‘deserves an Oscar if she was acting’ says former boss

Jockey Michael O'Sullivan at Ascot Racecourse. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2024.

Cheltenham-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan dies aged just 24 after fall in race

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Meets With Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves At Downing Street

Starmer to 'overrule' Reeves and call for increased defence spending ahead of meeting with Donald Trump

images shared on social media show police arresting a man following the attack.

'Laughing' Syrian asylum seeker who stabbed boy, 14, to death was motivated by 'Islamic terrorism'

Axel Rudakubana has been jailed for 52 years.

FBI joins investigation into Southport killer amid claims he wiped internet search history

Heavy Rush In Trains For Last Amrit Snan On Prayagraj Kumbh

At least 15 dead in train station stampede in New Delhi

Pope Francis Attends The Weekly General Audience on Wednesday.

Pope Francis to miss Sunday prayer due to 'absolute rest' order after bronchitis diagnosis

Udoka Godwin-Malife

Burton Albion defender allegedly target of racist abuse by fan

Applegreen petrol station in New Town, Uckfield, Sussex.

Teenager dies after car overturned at Sussex petrol station

Starmer, Trump and Putin.

'Once in a generation moment': Starmer warns against NATO division ahead of emergency summit on Ukraine