THE NHS is inviting more people who are most at risk from Covid to come forward for their booster jab as it continues to be rolled out.

The top-up dose is being given at more than 200 vaccine services across the north west, including pharmacies, hospital hubs, GP practices and vaccination centres.

Boosters are currently offered to everyone aged 50 and over, frontline health and social care workers and those aged between 16 and 49 with an underlying health condition putting them at greater risk from the virus, at least 26 weeks since their second dose.

They do not need to contact the NHS and will be invited when it is their turn. Texts and letters are going out to around 1.5million more people nationally this week.

Primary care networks have either commenced or plan to take the booster vaccine into care homes in the coming weeks, and where appropriate, some are planning to give the booster vaccine alongside the flu vaccine.

Once invited, people can book their booster vaccine appointment online at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination and people that are not able go online can book by phoning 119.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, executive lead for the vaccination programme in the north west, has called on people to book their booster vaccine as soon as they are invited to ensure they get extra protection ahead of winter.

“The Covid-19 vaccination programme in the north west continues to go from strength to strength, with more than 9.8million vaccine doses given to date,” she said.

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“NHS teams are pulling out all the stops to give booster and third doses for those at greatest risk from serious illness at the earliest opportunity, as well as giving single doses for healthy children aged 12 to 15.

“Now that the National Booking Service has opened to people eligible for a booster, it is time to book yourself in.

“The aim is to maintain protection this winter against severe Covid-19 disease, specifically hospitalisation and deaths, for those who have already had two doses.

“The vaccines remain the best way to protect yourself, your family and friends as we head into winter when we know Covid can present a bigger risk to our health.”