The seasonal Covid-19 booster jabs are being rolled out across the UK and over-50s are set to become the latest group invited to get their booster.
The autumn Covid booster became available in September and back in August it was announced that 26 million people in England would be eligible.
The most vulnerable were the first to receive the (fourth) autumn coronavirus jabs, and now millions more can book an appointment.
Over-50s in England will be eligible to book their Covid booster from Friday October 14, with over-50s in Wales and Northern Ireland already eligible for the vaccine.
The Scottish government have also said that 50 to 64-year-olds in Scotland will be invited for their boosters soon.
While over-50s will soon be eligible, there are still a number of age groups who cannot book the autumn Covid booster.
The NHS has provided all the information you need to book, along with exactly who can claim theirs now.
It is expected to be offered to more members of the public soon.
Who is eligible for the Covid booster jabs?
From October 14, people aged over 50 are now able to book their Covid booster jab appointments through the national booking system.
There are also a number of other people eligible for the autumn booster already, including frontline health and social care staff, carers, vulnerable people and those caring or living with them, and pregnant women.
The following people can book their seasonal booster online:
- Aged 50 or over
- Pregnant
- Aged 5 and over and at high risk due to a health condition
- Aged 5 and over and at high risk because of a weakened immune system
- Aged 16 and over and lives with someone who has a weakened immune system
- Aged 16 and over and is a carer, either paid or unpaid
- A frontline health and social care worker.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, said: "All those over 50 are now eligible for the jab, many of which will have low natural immunity due to COVID restrictions over the last two years."
How to book your Covid booster jab
When booking your Covid booster, appointment dates will start from three months, or 91 days, after your previous dose.
You can book online via the NHS website; simply answer the questions and fill out the information it requires.
This will lead you to the date booking page, where you can select your nearest GP or Covid vaccine centre.
You will be emailed with the details once a date is secured.
Alternatively, you can book over the phone by calling 119.
Here you will be guided through a similar process, providing your information and being offered dates to attend your appointment at your nearest clinic.
NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “Vaccines save lives and thanks to the phenomenal efforts of NHS staff and the volunteers who have supported us over the past two years, tens of millions have been protected against Covid-19.
“Over 33 million lifesaving boosters were delivered by the NHS in England, and with the NHS now armed with the first variant-targeted dose, the NHS is set to deliver millions of autumn boosters ahead of winter to protect those most vulnerable to the virus.
“It’s fantastic to see that people are once again eager to get their jab with care home residents being the first to be offered the jab – it’s important that anybody eligible books in without delay when they are invited by the NHS either by booking through the NHS website or calling 119.”
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