Can I book my booster jab early? When to get your third Covid vaccine and how new NHS booking system works

People can now book their Covid-19 booster vaccines a month in advance, as the Government attempts to speed up the roll-out of the third jab.

Around 17.5 per cent of the population has now received the booster, but the Government is pushing for as many people as possible to have it before the winter.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Covid-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your family ahead of a challenging winter and this change to the booking system will make it as easy as possible for people to book their booster jabs.

“This will accelerate the booster programme, ensure the NHS is able to vaccinate people as quickly as possible, and importantly help more people maintain protection against Covid-19 as we know immunity will dip over time.”

All over-50s, frontline healthcare workers and younger people considered clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 are eligible to receive a booster.

You must wait at least six months after your second jab to get the third.

However, the change in the booking system means you can now arrange your vaccination appointment after five months.

Who is eligible for the booster?

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) drew up a priority list for the vaccine last September. These groups are the same for the people who can receive the booster:

1. Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
2. All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
3. All those 75 years of age and over
4. All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
5. All those 65 years of age and over
6. All individuals aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
7. All those 60 years of age and over
8. All those 55 years of age and over
9. All those 50 years of age and over

The criteria applying to group six has changed slightly, affecting how people with asthma qualify for the booster jab.

The guidance in the Government’s Covid Green Book of vaccine information for public health professionals has narrowed in a recent update to refer to “poorly-controlled asthma”.

If you had your second jab six months ago you should receive a text message or letter from your GP inviting you to book your appointment.

However, if you are eligible you can also book yourself in on the NHS website, or by calling 119.

The booster jab comes in a single dose and you are requested to wait four weeks (28 days) before booking if you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test result, starting from the date you had the test.