Millions have just days to get Covid boosters before offer of vaccine stops for good

MILLIONS of Brits have just days to get their Covid booster shots before the offer ends for good.

As the nation moves away from Covid, vaccines for healthy people are being ramped down.

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Booster shots will no longer be available for healthy people under the age of 50 from February 12 and Britons have just 12 days to book a slot.

Offers for the first and second doses will also be withdrawn later this year.

Health Secretary Maria Caulfield said the decision was made “as the transition progresses from pandemic emergency response to pandemic recovery”.

dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunization at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said Covid levels are falling but that’s still key to getting your vaccination when you can.

“Elderly people are still at highest risk of being hospitalized for Covid-19 so it is important that those eligible get their booster shot.

“Now is the time to sign up for a Covid-19 refresher if you haven’t already – whether it’s your first or you’re eligible for an autumn refresher.

“Sign up before Sunday February 12th when the offer ends. It will boost your immunity and protect you and your loved ones.”

Up to eight million people are still not getting double stung and have run out of time to come forward.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), which advised ministers on the latest move, said the rollout of the vaccine should now become “more targeted”.

It added that “emergency vaccines” are on standby in the event of a deadly new variant.

All over-50s and Britons with long-term illnesses could be part of the autumn roll-out again, lining up for flu vaccines.

Spring boosters are likely to only hit nursing home residents and those with weakened immune systems.

The vaccines have helped end lockdowns and protect millions of Britons.

Over 43 million people have received at least two doses of the life-saving vaccines and over 145 million have been introduced since December 2020.

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If you have not yet received your first booster shot, you can book an appointment online for a place at a vaccination center or pharmacy.

You can book a slot in advance if it has been two months since your previous dose.

Brits can also go to a walk-in location without an appointment.

If your NHS report shows you’re at high risk from Covid-19, you should be invited to a seasonal refresher.

You can get your seasonal boost if it’s been at least three months since your previous dose, the instructions say.

If you have not yet received your first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine you should get it as soon as possible, the NHS has said.

If you have a severely compromised immune system, you should receive an additional priming dose before receiving a booster dose.