Spring Covid jab figures encouraging for South-west London as vulnerable are urged to book

More than 14,000 eligible people in South-west London have booked an appointment to get their spring Covid-19 vaccine since the National Booking System opened on April 15.

The NHS is encouraging everyone eligible to book a slot to get vaccinated as soon as possible via the NHS website, on the NHS app or by ringing 119 free of charge.

Following Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice, this year people eligible include those aged 75 and over by June 30, older adult care home residents and immunosuppressed people aged six months and over.

Eligibility for a spring vaccination is similar to previous years, but those who are immunosuppressed are now eligible from six months old instead of five years.

Thousands of appointments are available every day across the country until the end of June, with many happening at pharmacies and GP practices.

As well as booked appointments, some sites offer walk-ins with a full list of locations available on the NHS walk-in finder.

Last week, vaccinations began in older adult care homes and for eligible housebound patients, with more than 1,400 vulnerable patients vaccinated in the first seven days, with wider appointments now also up and running.

The NHS is contacting everyone who is eligible via text, email or letter, but people do not need to wait for an invite to book.

Housebound patients should wait to be contacted by their provider who will be in touch to schedule their vaccination.

UK Health Security Agency surveillance data on last year’s spring Covid vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were up to 50 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid for three to four months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.

A summary of the health conditions, treatments and medications that can cause a weakened immune system is available on the NHS website.

Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera