NHS issues urgent warning to stop millions of vulnerable people missing out on Covid jab

The NHS has issued an urgent warning for people vulnerable to serious illness from a Covid infection.

More than six million people at risk or over the age of 75 who are yet to receive their autumn booster vaccine will be reminded by the NHS ahead of the winter period. It comes as part of the NHS' largest vaccination programme in history which has already delivered over 5.5 million jabs to combat coronavirus infections since its launch last month.

Those especially susceptible to experiencing serious illness from a Covid infection include those with suppressed immune systems, are pregnant, over the age of 75, have a learning disability, or have other health issues. Now, the NHS is reminding people that fall in this group to book their Covid jab as soon as possible.

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NHS medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “The threat of a Covid-19 and flu season creating a 'twindemic' this winter is real, as infections levels continue to rise and the number of people in hospital with covid climbing by more than a third in just over a month across England. Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and volunteers we have already delivered more than five million doses in four weeks with hundreds of thousands of people booking their vaccine every day, but we know that there are still millions of people who have yet to take up the offer.

“If for any reason you have not yet been able to get your autumn booster, I would strongly urge you to come forward as soon as possible and get protected – the vaccine remains the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from covid this winter.”

Those at risk of serious illness will