ALMOST half a million people in the North West have now received their spring covid booster from the NHS just ten weeks after bookings officially opened as part of the latest vaccination campaign.

People aged 75 and over, those with a weakened immune system and older adult care home residents are eligible for a spring vaccine this year, and the latest stats show 454,000 vaccines have been delivered by the NHS in the region, part of more than 4m nationally.

The vaccine offer formally opened to everyone outside of a care home on April 22, but NHS staff have been going into older adult care homes since April 15, with nearly two thirds of care home residents in the North West having received their protection.

With just one week left of this year’s spring covid vaccine programme, the NHS is urging all eligible people who haven’t yet had their top-up to come forward and get protected before June 30 2024.

Dr Linda Charles Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning and senior responsible officer for the COVID-19 vaccination programme for NHS England – North West, said: “It’s great to see so many people have already come forward to receive their vital protection since the launch of the spring covid vaccination programme ten weeks ago.

“COVID-19 can still be dangerous for those most vulnerable, so it is vital that people come forward for a top up jab if eligible. I’d particularly like to remind younger people who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or medication that they are eligible for the spring vaccine and urge them to come forward before the offer finishes at the end of this month.”

The NHS is making it easier than ever to get vaccinated, with a number of walk-in sites available across the North West, as well as appointments at hundreds of sites including GP practices and pharmacies that can be booked through the NHS App, calling 119, or by visiting the NHS website.

For the first time, joint bookings can be made for those who use the online booking system or NHS 119 to get their jab. By selecting a joint booking, two eligible people aged 18 and over can get the COVID-19 vaccine in the same location at the same time, making it easier than ever to get protected.

Depending on the vaccination site, those who have booked a joint appointment may be vaccinated at the same time or may have back-to-back vaccination slots.

Statistics from the UK Health Security Agency on last year’s spring COVID-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were up to 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus for three to four months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.

More details on people eligible for COVID-19 vaccines and how to book a jab are available at nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/getting-a-covid-19-vaccine