Somerset residents are being invited to get their Covid-19 booster jab before the scheme is due to end on Sunday 12th February.

This involves the third primary jab booster and the Autumn booster. The NHS says that after the 12th, there will still be a chance to get jabbed with an “evergreen” offer of 1st and 2nd vaccinations, but that is likely to be phased out in the summer while plans for a 2023 rollout are being trialled.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) has advised the public that there will be a Spring Booster vaccination programme for a smaller group of individuals such as the elderly and immunosuppressed.

This announcement makes Sunday 12th February the last day to be eligible for a Covid booster if you do not fall into that category, unless future campaigns are agreed by JVCI and the Government.

Lead Nurse for Somerset’s Covid vaccination programme Caroline Upton said: “Whilst the vaccination programme in Somerset has been extremely successful, we are aware that there are several people who are yet to come forward.

"Across the County we are still offering appointments and walk-in clinics for anyone who is eligible. The booster programme will end on the 12th of February but we will still continue to offer 1st and 2nd jabs for the time being. The average appointment takes less than 15 minutes, and we have plenty of availability in our vaccination centres.”

Somerset’s Director of Public Health, Professor Trudi Grant, said: “Although life has returned to some normality since the height of the pandemic, I want to remind Somerset residents that Covid is still circulating, and the best way to stay safe and protect ourselves and our loved ones from unnecessary illness is to get vaccinated.

I would strongly encourage everyone who is currently eligible for a first booster and is yet to come forward to do so before the offer closes.”

You can have a Covid booster if you are:

• Aged 50 or over – you do not need a seasonal booster if you turned 50 on or after 1 January 2023

• pregnant

• Aged 5 and over and at high risk from Covid-19 due to a health condition or a weakened immune system

• Aged 5 and over and live with someone who has a weakened immune system

• Aged 16 and over and a carer, either paid or unpaid

• Living or working in a care home for older people

• Any health or social care worker

Since the beginning of the vaccination programme 81% of Somerset’s population have had at least one dose of the covid-19 jab and in the current Autumn Booster programme the percentage is 72.5%

Members of the public can book an appointment for their vaccine via https://bit.ly/SomersetCovidBookings or by calling NHS 119. Walk in clinics can also be found by visiting Grab a Jab.