THE NHS launched its spring Covid-19 booster programme on Monday, March 21 and hopes to administer five million top-up vaccinations to those most at risk from the virus over the next couple of months.

Invites to the first 600,000 people in England are going out this week, targeting adults over the age of 75, care home residents and the most vulnerable over-12s.

The programme is being rolled out after advice from the Government’s scientific advisers that an extra dose will help top up their protection against severe Covid-19.

The programme coincides with rising Covid cases and hospitalisations across the UK, although deaths are staying relatively low – indicating that vaccines and new hospital treatments are continuing to make a big difference.

The South West currently has the highest Covid-19 infection rate in England.

Urging people to get a spring booster jab, Central Devon MP Mel Stride said: “The phenomenal success of our vaccination programme has been our pathway out of restrictions and back to normality.

“The best available scientific advice is clear – that topping up protection levels, particularly among the most vulnerable, helps to prevent serious illness and deaths – so please get boosted this spring if invited.”

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We know immunity to Covid-19 begins to wane over time. That’s why we’re offering a spring booster to those people at higher risk of serious Covid-19 to make sure they maintain a high level of protection. It’s important that everyone gets their top-up jabs as soon as they’re eligible.”