We're sharing an update following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendation to accelerate the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme.

In line with the latest guidance from the JCVI the NHS is working on plans to offer:

• a booster dose to everyone aged 18 years old and over
• a booster dose to people aged 16 years old and over with a severely weakened immune system
• booster doses from 3 months after the previous dose - currently it's from 6 months after the previous dose
• a 2nd dose to all children aged 12 to 15 years old who are not already eligible

Please note that this is not yet available. Arrangements are being put in place to enable this to get underway as quickly as possible.

The booster vaccine offer will be opened up by age group to ensure the most vulnerable are vaccinated first. The national booking service will initially open up to people in their 40s and older people who would previously have had to wait six months before moving onto younger age groups.

The NHS will provide more information for the public about what will happen when as soon as possible.

In the meantime, people who are already eligible should continue to come forward to get their jab via the NBS or 119 or visit a walk-in clinic.

If you were not already eligible, please do not contact the NHS. The NHS will let you know when it is your turn to take up the offer.