England’s top doctor is reminding people who had Covid-19 over Christmas to get boosted now if they haven’t already done so, as the biggest and fastest NHS vaccination programme continues at pace.  

In December, more than four million people in England tested positive for Covid and would have been unable to get their vaccine for at least 28 days, in line with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance.

More than five million reminder texts have been sent by the NHS this week urging people to come forward and get protected from the virus. 

New NHS data shows there are 6.3 million people who are overdue their booster by six weeks or more.

More than 10 million people have had their boost in protection since the biggest and most successful vaccination drive in health service history opened up to every adult on December 15, and England’s top doctor is urging millions more to come forward for the best protection from the virus.

The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows shortly after getting a booster, you are 85% less likely to end up in hospital than if you are unvaccinated.