The UK’s largest independent pharmacy chain has issued an appeal to older people and those who are vulnerable to take up the offer of a fourth Covid-19 vaccination this spring.

As of today, those eligible in England can use the NHS national booking service or NHS app to book a Covid-19 booster jab. The first appointments will be available from 17 April.

In England, the latest Covid-19 booster vaccine is being offered to those aged 75 and over, to those with a weakened immune system and to residents in older adult care homes.

Individuals will be able to receive vaccinations from around 3,000 sites across the country, with the majority of immunisations being delivered by GPs and pharmacies in the community.

Today, Well Pharmacy, which is taking part in the vaccination programme again, is encouraging people to book their booster as soon as they are contacted by the NHS.

It stressed that while Covid-19 hospitalisations are down, a large number of people are still being hospitalised and that ‘thousands of people’ are still testing positive.

George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, said: ‘While – happily – we are in a very different place nationally to where we once were on Covid, it hasn’t gone away.’

He said the organisation ‘highly recommend people don’t delay in getting their booster’.

‘It is the best and safest way of protecting yourself and your loved ones, with the jab protecting against different variants of the virus,’ added Mr Sandhu.