In response to advice from the independent JCVI, the Government has set out that appointments for a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks for the remaining people in cohort 10 (people in their 40s) who have yet to receive their second dose. This is to ensure priority groups have the strongest possible protection from the Delta variant of the virus at the earliest opportunity possible.
This announcement builds on the previous advice that second doses for cohorts 1-9 should be brought forward from 12 weeks to 8 weeks. All providers are asked to continue to vaccinate priority groups as soon as possible and not to hold on to vaccine supply. Second dose vaccinations should not be offered earlier than 8 weeks except in accordance with the guidance by JCVI and the Green Book.
From today, we are sending text messages to people aged 23 and 24 inviting them to book their vaccination appointments through the National Booking Service (on the NHS website or by calling 119). We expect to then invite the remainder of cohort 12 to book their appointments later this week and will send further communications on timings as soon as possible.
Read our letter which provides more detail and actions for all vaccination sites to take.