GP urges anyone eligible to get their Covid-19 booster jab as soon as possible
A leading GP has urged anyone eligible to get their Covid-19 booster jab as soon as possible.
Dr Nicola Jones, the lead GP for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in South West London, said: “If you’re eligible, don’t wait to get a booster jab – book in to top up your protection as soon as possible.
“I would urge everyone to come forward for the booster dose when it’s their turn.
“The vaccines remain the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community as we head into winter, when we know Covid-19 can present a bigger risk to our health.
“Please also remember to have your free flu jab to ensure the best possible protection in the months ahead.”
More than five million people in the UK have already received the additional jab and another two million more booster invitations are being sent out this week by the NHS.
Boosters should be delivered at least six months after the second dose, with current evidence suggesting this is the best time to increase immunity to Covid-19.
Anyone eligible for a booster can book in via the National Booking Service or their GP when invited, with sites including GP practices, community pharmacies and other convenient places.
Text messages will come from ‘NHSvaccine’ and will include a link to the NHS website, where eligible people can quickly book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/book-covid-
The NHS will be in touch when people become eligible, but if you haven’t received an invitation, you are over 50 and it’s six months and one week since your second dose, you can make an appointment for your booster through the online National Booking System or by calling 119.
In south west London, as well as booking online people can now walk in for their booster jab at various sites across London if they are eligible.
More details can be found at https://swlondonccg.nhs.uk/
People who are eligible for a booster at least six months on from their second dose include:
- those living in residential care homes for older adults
- all adults aged 50 years or over
- frontline health and social care workers
- all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 (as set out in the green book) and adult carers
- adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals.
More information about eligibility for the Covid-19 booster jab and flu vaccine can be found at https://swlondonccg.nhs.uk/