Expert reveals how to get your second vaccine sooner – the easy trick to rebook
Vaccine 'highly protective' against Delta variant says professor
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The NHS has reduced the time frame for some doses, down from the initial three-month delay between first and second vaccines. Experts previously said this 12 week window would still allow high effectiveness against the virus, but pressure exerted by the Delta variant has forced the Government to reconsider. Now ministers have decided to expedite second doses, bringing them forward by four weeks, in a bid to close the gap between vaccinations and infections.
How to rebook your second jab earlier
People who have already booked their appointments for the second vaccine can now get them reorganised.
Instead of waiting 12 weeks for the second dose, many of us can now bring our appointment forward by four weeks.
Doing so requires you to cancel your first appointment and rebook – but some have been concerned that doing so may mean they lose their second dose altogether or could even find themselves with a longer wait.
Mark Ford, who is the delivery lead for the COVID-19 Vaccine National Booking Service at NHS Digital, revealed exactly how easy it is to bring forward the date of your second jab.
He tweeted: “If you want to bring your second vaccine dose forward, but haven’t because you have to cancel your appointment first… you can use the new availability checker before you cancel to make sure you’ll get an appointment sooner.”
Only some people have the opportunity to book at the moment, however, as only those aged 40 and older can get their second dose after eight weeks.
The national booking includes a “manage my appointments” option on its site people can use to cancel and rebook.
Now, before they opt to cancel their appointment, the service will check whether any local vaccination centres have availability.
The built-in availability checker will show which centres are available or limited and the dates they can provide vaccinations.
The image attached to Mr Ford’s tweet shows the next five days of appointments, detailing whether each date has availability or is limited.
The checker will also show if your chosen centre is fully booked.
So if you can’t get a vaccine at your desire location or date, you can choose not to cancel your existing appointment.
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Experts have praised the move as a wise one that could continue to deliver doses across age groups.
Professor Anthony Harnden, Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) deputy chairman
He told BBC Radio 4 the NHS is “still vaccinating over 50s with their second dose”, so officials must act to cover them and younger adults.
Professor Harnden added it “makes sense” to shorten vaccine intervals to eight weeks from 12.
People don’t have to book online, as they can also wait for the NHS to contact them.
Vaccinators will get in touch with people eligible to have their appointment expedited.
The UK’s Covid vaccination programme will soon cover all of the country’s adults, according to Sir Simon Stevens, NHS England chief.
The latest plans will see over-18s covered by the end of the week, he told members of the NHS Confederation during an online conference.
The Government hopes to provide extensive coverage by its “Freedom Day” extension date on July 19.
Announcing plans in Parliament, Matt Hancock said he wants “two-thirds” of adults covered by then.
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