Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Britons urged to get Covid vaccine before June 30 deadline

The NHS’s vaccination programme has already administered over 146 million Covid-19 jabs across England

Britons urged to get Covid vaccine before June 30 deadline

The government has urged those who have not yet received their first and/or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to do so before the offer ends on June 30.

The NHS vaccination programme has already administered over 146 million Covid-19 jabs across England, with 40 million adults receiving both dose.


As protection against Covid (either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination) fades over time, the NHS is again offering the Covid-19 vaccine this spring to those that need it.

These include people who will be aged 75 and over by 30 June 2023, people with a weakened immune system, and residents of care homes for older adults (and half of eligible care home residents have had their jab already).

The vaccination can be scheduled online, via phone at 119, or by visiting one of the many walk-in vaccination sites available across the country.

A targeted, seasonal vaccination offer will remain open for those who are most at risk, as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This will enable the NHS to focus efforts on reducing waiting lists for treatment and decreasing backlogs - "one of the prime minister’s top five priorities".

After the Government decides who should be offered the vaccine again later in the year ahead of winter, the NHS will let people know when it’s their turn to come forward.

Health minister Maria Caulfield encouraged individuals to take advantage of the vaccination offer before it closes.

She emphasised the importance of vaccines as a line of defense against Covid-19 and the need to prioritise those most at risk.

“Vaccines are our best line of defence against the virus. I’ve stayed up to date with mine – it’s quick and easy so I would urge you to do the same before the offer closes” she said.

The spring booster campaign will end on June 30, 2023, alongside the current offer of a first and second dose of the vaccine.

Steve Russell, the Director of Vaccinations and Screening at NHS, said the NHS’s successful administration of millions of Covid jabs marks the fastest and largest vaccination programme in NHS history.

However, with the need to learn to live with Covid, the focus has shifted towards targeted seasonal campaigns to protect the most vulnerable individuals, he said.

The JCVI noted that older individuals, residents in care homes, and persons with certain underlying health conditions face a disproportionately higher risk of serious illness with Covid-19.

Russell urged that as the current spring campaign comes to an end, it is necessary for all unvaccinated individuals aged 18 and above to come forward and receive their primary course by the end of June to receive protection.

“The vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to boost your protection from serious illness caused by covid – so please do come forward for your dose of protection,” he said.

Dr Jeeves Wijesuriya, a GP in London and Clinical Advisor for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme says: “Most people have now taken up their offer of Covid-19 vaccination. But after 30 June, many people won’t be able to get Covid vaccines from the NHS.

“So, if you’ve only had one Covid-19 vaccination, or not had a vaccination at all, please book yours - before it’s too late.”

To book your vaccinations, visit the NHS website.

More For You

british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car Tax Changes: EV Owners Now Required to Pay for the First Time

Owners of electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 for the first year, followed by the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Car tax changes take effect: EV owners to pay for first time

FROM today, 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, and motorcycles in the UK will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time.

The change, introduced in the 2022 Autumn Statement by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to make motoring taxation fairer.

Keep ReadingShow less
scotland-minimum-wages-iStock

Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will receive an annual pay increase of £1,400 in real terms. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Wage increase takes effect for thousands of workers in Scotland

HUNDREDS of thousands of workers in Scotland will see a pay increase as new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect from Tuesday.

The changes will benefit approximately 220,000 people, according to STV News.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools
Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper in 'Adolescence'
Netflix

Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools

THE NETFLIX drama Adolescence will be shown in UK secondary schools as part of efforts to address harmful online influences on young boys, officials announced on Monday.

The show has sparked debate over the impact of toxic and misogynistic content on the internet. Prime minister Keir Starmer met the show's creators, charities, and young people at Downing Street, calling the initiative an important step in starting discussions about the content teenagers are exposed to online.

Keep ReadingShow less