Well over half of patients eligible for a Spring Covid vaccination have yet to come forward with just under six weeks left of the campaign.
In all, 38.8% of those eligible have had their vaccination, the majority of which have been administered in GP practices and pharmacies, as the campaign is due to close 17 June.
Weekly vaccination data published today showed just over 3 million vaccinations were administered to eligible patients since the Spring campaign began 1 April.
Care home vaccination visits will continue over the next six weeks, with over two thirds completed by primary care teams already.
Patients over 75, residents of a care home for older adults and those six months and over who are immunosuppressed are eligible for the Covid vaccine this spring. The same groups will be eligible this autumn, which is greatly narrowed from last year due to the disease becoming endemic.
However NHS England’s national medical director warned that Covid-19 continues to be a dangerous virus for vulnerable patients.
Urging patients to come forward, he said: ‘Covid-19 is not just a winter illness and we cannot let the recent sunshine fool us into thinking it is no longer a threat.
‘The virus continues to be dangerous for those most at-risk, particularly older people and those with weakened immune systems, so we are encouraging all those who are eligible to come forward as soon as possible and join the three million people already vaccinated so far over the last month.
‘Previous immunity can wane over time, so it is important to top-up your protection and while we are sending out invites, you do not need to wait for this to book – just visit the NHS website, use the NHS App or call 119 to get an appointment in your diary.’
Minister for public health and prevention Ashley Dalton said: ‘The Covid-19 vaccine is a crucial weapon in the fight to protect those most vulnerable to serious illness.
‘That is why it is essential that everyone who is eligible for the spring jab gets it as soon as possible and tops up their protection.
‘You can get yours for free at thousands of sites open across the country, including local pharmacies and GP practices.’
