Thousands of eligible people will now be offered a Covid vaccine from 11 September, in line with the latest expert guidance on the new Covid variant.

This change follows an announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the risks presented by the new BA.2.86 variant and pre-emptive measures the NHS has been asked to take.

The adult Covid and flu vaccination programmes had been due to start in October to maximise protection over the winter months, but now those most at risk including adult care home residents will be vaccinated from 11 September.

The NHS has been asked to bring the programme forward and will be working quickly to ensure as many eligible people as possible are vaccinated by the end of October.

From the 18 September, the NHS will start to invite people in priority order of risk and those eligible will be able to book an appointment on the National Booking Service on the NHS website. Eligible people should wait to receive an invite from their local provider and sites will be confirmed shortly.

Read full statement and eligibility criteria on the NHS website. 

We will work in partnership with our GP Federation Alliance for Better Care to deliver this programme. More information including our local sites and confirmed clinics and walk-ins (as and when available to publish) will be on their website.