Trudy has welcomed the news that 1,126,027 people in the North West have received their COVID-19 booster, or third jab, as the Conservative government continues to step up efforts to ensure that vulnerable people are fully protected against COVID-19 over the winter.
The latest figures show that more than 10 million people across the UK have received their COVID-19 booster or third jab, ensuring the vital protection they have secured from their first two doses is maintained over the winter months.
A total of 10,062,794 people have received their booster and third jabs in the UK. 45,836,791 people have had two doses (79.7%) and 50,234,416 people have received one dose (87.4%).
Seven in 10 over-80s and three in five over-50s in England are already vaccinated with top-up jabs.
NHS England will be inviting another three million people who will become eligible for their booster next week. More than 13 million invites, including texts, letters and emails, have already been sent to eligible people in England so far asking them to book their booster online through the National Booking Service. The additional letters due to land next week will mean around 16 million invites have been sent in England since the NHS booster programme began.
The National Booking Service will be updated today (Monday) to allow those eligible for a booster vaccine - people over 50 and those most at risk of COVID-19 - to pre-book their jab five months after the second dose.
People will still receive their vaccine six months after their second dose, but the change will speed up the vaccination programme by allowing people to receive a jab the day they become eligible, rather than waiting for a convenient appointment.
People will also be able to book by calling 119 and can get vaccinated at hundreds of walk-in sites across the country six months after their second dose without an appointment. Those eligible can use the NHS online walk-in finder to locate the most convenient site.
COVID-19 booster vaccines have been delivered or booked in at every older adult care home in England where safe to do so, with almost nine in 10 care homes already visited.
Trudy said: "It is absolutely fantastic news that over 1.1 million people in the North West have received a booster dose or third vaccination, which will offer life-saving protection to them and their loved ones this winter.
"Those people, including everyone who has got their third jab in Copeland, are part of the 10 million people across the country who have already received a booster jab. I would urge anyone who is eligible and hasn't yet come forward to get a booster jab as soon as possible, by booking online or at one of our local walk-in sites.
"We can all do our bit this winter to protect our loved ones and the NHS, and to stay ahead in the race against the virus, by taking up the offer of a vaccine as soon as we are eligible."
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “More than 10 million people across the UK now have the vital protection boosters provide, building our wall of defence and keeping people safe over the winter months. We know immunity begins to wane after six months, particularly for the elderly and at-risk groups, and booster jabs will ensure our most vulnerable are protected over the winter.
“It’s never been easier to get your top-up jabs now that those eligible can book in advance or visit hundreds of walk-in sites across the country.
“Please do not delay - get your vaccines as soon as you can to protect yourself and your loved ones this winter so we can keep the virus at bay.”
