NHS invites thousands to book life-saving Covid-19 jabs across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

28 March 2025

 

The NHS national booking system has opened for thousands of local people to book in their spring Covid-19 vaccination, with appointments starting on Tuesday 1 April, 2025.

Those eligible for this year’s spring Covid-19 vaccine include adults aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people with a weakened immune system who are at a greater risk from severe illness.

The Covid-19 virus continues to circulate and can be highly dangerous – particularly for the above groups – with hospitals nationwide seeing an average of more than 1,000 beds each day over winter taken up by Covid-19 patients.

The vaccine provides vital protection against different strains of the Covid-19 virus and helps reduce the risk of catching and spreading it, as well as the risk of serious illness or needing to go to hospital if you do catch it.

Surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on last year’s spring Covid-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 for up to two months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.

Anne Morris, Chief Nurse and Operational Senior Responsible Officer for NHS BNSSG ICB, said:

“Covid-19 continues to be a serious illness, particularly for older people and those with weakened immune systems.

“We know that previous immunity – either from having the virus or from a previous vaccination – can wane over time, so it is vital that those who are at higher risk top up their protection. New evidence shows those who have received a Covid jab are 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus in the following two months.

“This spring, the NHS is offering the Covid-19 vaccine to protect those that are at highest risk of getting seriously unwell if they catch the virus – so if you are aged 75 or over, in a care home for older adults, or if you or your child have a weakened immune system, please do make an appointment for your vaccine as soon as possible.”

Those eligible for the jab are being contacted via text, email, NHS App messages or letters.  Other direct ways to book an appointment include visiting the NHS national website or calling 119.

As well as booked appointments at places like GP surgeries and some community pharmacies, walk-in appointments will be available in places like Easton and St Werburghs in Bristol and Bournville in Weston-super-Mare. A full list of local walk-in locations is now available on the NHS Healthier Together website.