Everyone over 18 to be offered booster by 31 December
The Prime Minister has set the NHS a challenge to deliver the biggest, fastest vaccination drive this country has ever seen. Between now and the end of the year we need to offer jabs to everyone who is eligible.
Primarily this is booster doses for everyone aged 18 and over; provided their second does was at least three months ago.
Young people aged 16-17 are also able to get a second dose if it’s twelve weeks since their first. And anyone who has yet to have a first or second does is also encouraged to book a jab.
Our vaccine teams across Kent and Medway are stepping up their capacity with more staff, more days and longer hours. We’re also looking at where additional clinics can be added to the 60 that are already running.
Getting the vaccine
The majority of appointments will be through the National Booking Service online on by calling 119. Some GP-run services are also contacting their patients directly with invitations to book locally.
Please use the national booking service unless you receive a direct message from a GP-run team. Please do not call your GP surgery with general queries about booking covid vaccinations.
We know the national booking site is busy but please keep trying. More appointment are added regularly.
To book a booster you must have had your second dose at least 3 months (91 days) ago.
The national booking service shows clinics that have appointments available at the time you try to book. You can see all our clinics in Kent and Medway on our map here. If there is one closer to you than is listed on the national booking service, you could try again later.
Will there be more walk-in centres?
There are a small number of centres running regular walk-in options, but in most cases we are focussing on bookable appointments. With demand high and it being winter we want to limit the need for people to queue outside without a confirmed appointment.
If specific sites have spare capacity on any given day, they may promote time-limited walk-in options; but please double check a clinic is offering walk-ins before travelling.
Cancel bookings you don’t need
We need to maximise the options other people have to get boosted. Freeing up a slot you don’t need will help someone else get protected faster.
If you do book an appointment and for any reasons no longer need it please make sure you cancel it.
Housebound patients
Local teams are working to schedule all housebound booster vaccinations. If you are registered housebound with your general practice you will be contacted about the booster.
Partners supporting the vaccine teams
To get this done we’re asking local partners to make staff available to be redeployed to vaccination centres. Partners will be receiving details of how they can support in separate messages. The willingness to support that many have already shown is much appreciated.