The NHS spring COVID-19 vaccination programme has now launched and the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to be expanding the areas in which they provide vaccinations for this campaign, to include Mid-Devon as well as East and North Devon.

The spring campaign aims to protect the most vulnerable, including over 75s, those with a weakened immune system and older adult care home residents. A total of approximately 3m people across the county.

Those living in care homes are already being vaccinated by NHS teams visiting homes to offer protection. Others eligible can now book an appointment via the National Booking Service or NHS App for the first appointments available week beginning Monday 17 April.

Text messages and letters will also be sent to those without the app or not actively using it.

The Royal Devon has administered more than 750,000 COVID-19 jabs, since Maggie Keenan became the first in the world, outside of a clinical trial, to receive the vaccination in December 2020.

Leigh Mansfield, Programme Director Vaccination Services, Royal Devon, said: “We’re busy getting ready across our vaccination sites for the spring campaign and are looking forward to expanding our vaccination service to cover Plymouth and West Devon.

“As well as our vaccination centres in Exeter, North Devon and Plymouth we’ll also be running a programme of outreach clinics so as many people as possible can access their vaccinations.

“It’s important to remember that the spring vaccine offer runs until 30 June, after which it will come to an end. I would like to encourage those who are 75 or over or who have a weakened immune system to book their booster jab as soon as possible."

NHS South West’s Medical Director, Dr Michael Marsh, said: "As a society we are learning to live with COVID-19, but it’s still out there and for many it is still a virus that can cause serious illness and hospitalisation. Immunity from the vaccine wanes over time, especially in the older and more vulnerable cohorts, so it continues to be really important that those at greatest risk come forward and boost their protection in the coming weeks.”

Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online. Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site.

After 30 June, the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk, usually during seasonal campaigns, which means this may be the last opportunity for some people to receive a vaccine through this programme.