Date confirmed for final Covid vaccines before NHS ends universal offer for good

The date for the final first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to be given has been confirmed by the Health and Social Care Secretary.

It comes as the vulnerable and those aged 75 and older have been called forward to have their spring booster jab. Eligible individuals will be offered the booster vaccine around six months after their previous dose, and NHS England will confirm operational details for the programme in due course.

In a statement on Wednesday (March 8), Steve Barclay confirmed that the offer of a spring booster would end on June 30, and on the same day, the offer of first and second doses for people who are yet to be vaccinated would also end. He said: "As we live with the virus without past restrictions on our freedoms, I am also announcing that the offer of a first or second dose of Covid vaccine will end at this time."

READ MORE: Spring Covid-19 booster to be rolled out to vulnerable and elderly

The Health and Social Care Secretary continued: “Covid continues to infect thousands of people every week, so I strongly encourage anyone who has not yet taken up the offer of a first or second dose of vaccine to join the 42 million who have already come forward for both doses.”

On the spring booster roll-out, he said: "It is important that we continue to ensure the most vulnerable are protected through a targeted seasonal vaccination offer for those most at risk, which is why I have accepted advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on this year’s spring booster programme.

"This will top up the protection of those considered at highest clinical risk, spring booster vaccines will be offered to adults aged 75 years and over; residents in a care home for older adults