The NHS national booking system opens today (Tuesday 25 March), allowing close to a million eligible people across the East of England to book their spring Covid-19 vaccination – with appointments available from Tuesday 1 April.
Those eligible for this year’s spring Covid-19 vaccine include adults aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people with a weakened immune system who are at a greater risk from severe illness.
The Covid-19 virus continues to circulate and can be highly dangerous, particularly for people in these groups.
Across this winter in the East of England (25 November 2024 to 16 March 2025), NHS statistics show that an average of around 100 hospital beds were taken up each day by patients with Covid.
The vaccine provides vital protection against different strains of the Covid virus and helps reduce the risk of catching it, as well as the risk of serious illness or needing to go to hospital if you do.
Surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on last year’s spring Covid-19 vaccination programme showed those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus for up to two months after vaccination, compared to those who did not top up their protection.
Appointments are available across the East of England, mostly at pharmacies and GP practices. As well as booked appointments, there are also walk-in appointments available, with a full list of local locations across the East of England on the NHS walk-in finder.
With the latest available NHS statistics showing that so far this month, there were still an average of more than 90 people in the East of England’s hospitals with Covid each day, this continues to be a serious illness – especially for older people and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Previous immunity wears off over time – whether that’s from having had the virus before, or the vaccine – so it’s vital those at the greatest risk of becoming seriously unwell top up their protection.
Anyone aged 75 or over, those in a care home for older adults, or anyone who has a weakened immune system is eligible for a jab this spring.
The NHS is contacting these individuals via text, email, NHS App messages or by letter but you don’t need to wait for an invite – just visit the NHS website, use the NHS App or call 119 now to book your appointment.
Dr Eleanor Powers, Head of Public Health Commissioning (Immunisation) for NHS England – East of England
Local NHS teams have been working to make it as easy as possible for people to get jabbed close to home, as well as organising visits to older adult care homes and eligible housebound patients. For those who receive all their care at home, a home visit should be arranged via their GP.
Anyone eligible who has not received any previous doses should still get vaccinated during this year’s spring offer, to help protect against serious illness.
The NHS is also encouraging those aged 75 to 79 (including those who have turned 80 since 1 September 2024) and pregnant women from 28 weeks to get the RSV vaccine by booking an appointment with their GP practice – or, in parts of Suffolk and Essex, by walking into a participating pharmacy.
Details of pharmacies where the RSV vaccine is available for walk in appointments are on the websites of Suffolk and North East Essex integrated care board and Mid and South Essex integrated care board.
Eligibility for a spring Covid-19 vaccination, as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), includes the following cohorts:
- Adults aged 75 years and over, including those who will turn 75 years old by 17 June 2025.
- Residents in a care home for older adults.
- Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a; Tables 3 and 4.
A summary of the health conditions, treatments and medications that can cause a weakened immune system is available on the NHS.UK website, and a full definition of immunosuppression can be found in Chapter 14a (table 3) of the Green Book.
The spring Covid-19 vaccination offer is available until Tuesday 17 June 2025.