The NHS has launched its spring COVID-19 vaccination programme, offering renewed protection to millions of older people and others at higher risk of severe illness as appointments open across England this week.
According to NHS England, tens of thousands of appointments are available every day at GP practices and community pharmacies for people aged 75 and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people who are immunosuppressed. The service says eligible patients do not need to wait for an invitation before booking.
Why the spring jab matters now
The NHS warned that COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the year and can remain dangerous for vulnerable groups. It also said protection from a previous vaccination can fade over time, while circulating variants may change, making a seasonal top-up important for those at greatest risk.
Caroline Temmink, NHS Director of Vaccination, said the warmer weather can make it easier to forget that viruses such as COVID-19 still circulate and can still pose a serious threat to vulnerable people. She urged eligible patients to come forward as soon as possible.
How patients can book
Eligible people can book through the NHS App, online, by visiting a walk-in site, or by calling 119 for free if they cannot get online. The NHS said invitations will be sent out, but they are not required in order to make an appointment.
The announcement comes as the NHS continues to focus on prevention and reducing avoidable hospital admissions among those most likely to become seriously unwell. For more information, readers can visit the official NHS England notice at NHS England.
Wider NHS activity alongside the vaccination drive
The spring rollout follows a separate NICE announcement that an aligned pathway with the MHRA will help patients get new medicines 3 to 6 months faster. NICE said the new process brings licensing and value decisions together, with the first guidance expected in June 2026.
Taken together, the latest NHS and NICE updates point to a system that is trying to improve both prevention and access: protecting vulnerable people from seasonal COVID-19 risk while also speeding access to new treatments.
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