Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that people attend their appointments for the covid-19 booster vaccine.

NHS England are contacting those eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine inviting them to book an appointment by either calling 119 or online. If an eligible individual has not been contacted at six months and one week since their second dose, they are invited to book their appointment via the National Booking Service without the need of an invitation letter. NHS England’s National Immunisation Management System sends reminders via text or letter to anyone who has not been vaccinated, or who has not booked an appointment through the National Booking Service.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme works with regional teams and local health systems to ensure good and timely access to vaccination appointments, with more clinics administering vaccines, including pharmacies, general practitioner practices and other convenient community sites. A national ‘BOOST your immunity this winter’ campaign has launched, setting out the importance of the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccines this winter. We are also providing advice and information to address any questions about the vaccination process.