Covid vaccinations extended to 30-year-olds in England

People aged 30 and over can now book their coronavirus jab as the UK’s vaccination programme ploughs ahead amid the spread of the Indian variant.

The eligibility age for the jab was lowered three times last week, with those aged 32 and 33 the latest to be invited to book their inoculation.

And now around 1 million people aged 30 and 31 will get a text message in the coming days asking them to come forward for their Covid-19 vaccine as Britain attempts to keep ahead of the B.1.617.2 variant.

There were reports on Twitter on Tuesday evening of 30- and 31-year-olds having already managed to book their vaccine appointments online – despite the NHS website still stating only those aged 32 and over could do so.

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, praised the “phenomenal pace” of the vaccination programme.

Health officials have sped up the timetable to offer second jabs in a bid to ensure those at highest risk are protected from the variant of the virus first identified in India.

At the same time, the programmes are extending to younger age groups to try and mitigate risk.

Mr Hancock said: “Our vaccination programme is moving at such a phenomenal pace and I am delighted that less than six months after Margaret Keenan received the first authorised jab in the world, we are now able to open the offer to everyone in their thirties and over.

“The vaccine is our way out of this pandemic and recent data has shown the life-saving protection [that] a second dose of the jab can give, especially against the new variant.

“I urge everyone to come forward when you get the offer and play a part in getting us back to normality.”

GP and national medical director for primary care for the NHS in England, Dr Nikki Kanani, said: “Getting the vaccine is the single most important step we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities against Covid-19 with the jabs saving thousands of lives already.

“The offer of a vaccine doesn't expire so, if you are eligible and haven't booked, please do come forward when you're invited to.”

Vaccination experts have previously advised people under the age of 40 should receive an alternative vaccine to the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab due to the link between the jab and extremely rare cases of blood clots.

This means most under-40s will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

NHS leaders in Scotland are encouraging people aged 30 and over to come forward for their jab and in Northern Ireland, those aged 25 and over are eligible for the vaccine.

In Wales the invite is open to all people over the age of 18.

Additional reporting by PA