Scramble to book earlier second Covid vaccines as under-40s discover slots online

YOUNGER Brits have scrambled to snap up earlier second jab slots – as under-40s discover they can get appointments weeks sooner.

People in their 20s and 30s have reported being able to cancel their original final dose and re-book for a much earlier day.

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Younger Brits have reported being able to move their second jab earlier, as well as over-40s[/caption]

They took to Twitter to share their excitement at getting fully protected weeks earlier than they thought through the online booking system.

One person wrote: “I brought my second vaccine forwards by three weeks. When I cancelled the original date and booked a new one this morning, there were loads of earlier slots available. It’s worth giving this a try!”

Another said: “Wow just got booked in for the Covid vaccine tomorrow! Earlier than expected (I’m not 40 just yet!) So happy. Thank you NHS.”

One excitedly posted: “Thank you for sharing. I am early thirties just moved my second jab two weeks before my original appointment.

“The NHS website now will show you the availability at the vaccine centre that you had booked for, BEFORE you cancel your appointment which is a new feature.”

And another said: “Was able to cancel and re-book my second vaccine (Moderna, under 40s, London) on the NHS booking site.

“So many slots available at Islington or even other pharmacies not shown when I booked original one.

“8 weeks after my first jab and 3 weeks earlier than original appointment.”

‘MOVED MY SECOND JAB’

However, some weren’t so lucky and found no earlier slots when they tried to move their appointment forward – ending up with a later date than they originally booked.

It is also important to check you are not moving your second dose to under eight weeks from the first – otherwise you won’t be properly protected against Covid.

NHS Digital bosses said they have tweaked the booking service to make it easier for Brits to bring foward their second jab.

Mark Ford, working on the National Booking Service for the vaccine, 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.”

The Government has encouraged over-40s to re-book their second vaccines earlier, to get closer to an eight week gap after their first.

Everyone else eligible to be jabbed should be waiting to be told if they can re-book earlier, NHS England said.  

A spokesperson added: “On advice of the JCVI, the NHS is contacting people aged 40 and over to bring forward their second vaccination.

“No one needs to contact the NHS – you only have to rebook your second dose if you’re invited to do so.”

A senior government advisor said earlier in the week where possible people should have their second jab at eight to ten weeks after their first.

Experts said lowering the age bracket of those eligible for a speedier second dose does “make sense” – as new data revealed on Monday the Delta variant could by up to 80 per cent more transmissible.

It comes as:

• Face masks won’t be a legal requirement on public transport from July 19, says Matt Hancock
• A health chief has warned daily cases could be ‘up to 25,000’ – and 25 Covid variants are currently being monitored
• Britain now has the worst coronavirus outbreak in Europe as the Indian – or Delta – mutation sends cases soaring
• Care home staff will reportedly be legally obliged to get the jab to protect residents
• The JCVI says children shouldn’t be given the jab until more is known about the risks

Professor Anthony Harnden told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme: “As we move down the age groups, particularly with plentiful supply of AstraZeneca vaccine, it would make sense to shorten that dose interval from 12 to eight weeks.”

It comes after the Prime Minister confirmed June 21 won’t be the hoped for “Freedom Day”.

This is due to rapidly rising cases of the Delta variant, first identified in India, and an increase of hospitalisations.

He gravely explained: “We can simply keep going with all of Step 4 on June 21, even though there is a real possibility that the virus will outrun the vaccines and that thousands more deaths would ensue which could otherwise have been avoided.

“Or else we can give the NHS a few more crucial weeks to get those remaining jabs into the arms of those who need them.”

He added that by July 19 around two-thirds of the adult population would have had two jabs, including all over-50s, the vulnerable and health and care workers, and the over-40s.

Mr Johnson said: “To do this we will now accelerate the second jabs for those over 40, just as we did for the vulnerable groups, so they get the maximum protection as fast as possible.

“We will bring forward our target to give every adult in this country a first dose by July 19.”