More than 17,000 people across Barnsley will be eligible to book their life-saving jab top-up from Monday, as the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination programme continues to boost people’s protection ahead of winter.

From 7am today (Monday 22 November), people aged 40 to 49 will be able to book their booster vaccines and 16 and 17-year-olds can make appointments for their second jabs.

People 40-49 can book their booster appointment on the National Booking Service a month before they become eligible, which means they can get their top-up jabs as soon as they reach the six month mark.

There are more than 2,000 40 to 49-year-olds who will be able to pre-book their booster appointments from today, and a further 15,000 will become eligible for their booster doses in the coming weeks.

Young people aged 16 and 17 can also book their second vaccine online or by calling 119 from today, following last week’s updated JCVI guidance recommending a second dose at least 12 weeks after the first.

Nearly 3,000 Barnsley people in this age group will soon be eligible for a second dose, and invitations for second jabs will be landing on the doorsteps of 16 and 17-year-olds over the next few weeks.

Anyone who has yet to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is also being encouraged to come forward and attend one of the walk-in clinics in Barnsley.

People who have yet to come forward for their first dose of the vaccine can still do so. It’s not too late to get a first dose and people can visit one of the drop-in clinics at any time to suit them. If it’s your first dose, you don’t need to book an appointment.

Andrea Parkin, lead for the Barnsley GP NHS vaccination programme said: “We encourage everyone who is newly eligible to make an appointment for their boosters and second doses as soon as possible. Getting protected with a booster and the second dose is really important as we approach winter and the festive period.”

UKHSA has advised that where people have had Covid-19, people over 18 or under 18 and at higher risk will need to wait four weeks from the onset of symptoms or a positive test result before getting the vaccine, and people under 18 not at higher risk will need to wait at least 12 weeks.

People can get their vaccine by booking online through the national booking service or by calling 119, and GP practices are also inviting those who are eligible.

Visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ to book and manage your COVID-19 vaccination appointments today.