BRITS will get a text inviting them to book their Covid jab from today.
The NHS hopes this will encourage younger people to take up the vaccine when their turn comes.
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Around 400,000 people over 55 should soon get a nudge on their phones to join the millions already inoculated.
They can then simply click on a link and choose when they want their first dose.
It will make it even easier to get the life-saving shot sorted, as all Brits are encouraged to get protected against Covid.
NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Thanks to careful planning and the huge efforts of NHS staff we have vaccinated more than 18 million people in England, which is a remarkable achievement.
“The NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history, continues to go from strength to strength and we are now building on that momentum by trialling a quick and easy service that will hopefully make it more convenient for people to book their life saving jab.
“I had my vaccine this week – it was simple, quick and painless – and I would encourage others who have not yet taken up the offer to come forward and receive the jab.”
About 40,000 unpaid carers will also be among the first large group to get the text call up.
They can choose from more than 300 large-scale vaccine centres of pharmacies across England.
CALLING ALL UNVACCINATED!
Reminders will then be sent every two to three weeks to encourage people to get their vaccine if they have not taken up the offer.
If this system works successfully, it will mean the NHS would be able to respond quicker to supply changes and appointment spaces.
The text will come from “NHSvaccine” – another other text offering a booking system or asking for payments and banking details is a scam.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care, said: “We know that some people are rightly worried about scams going around, but if the message comes from ‘NHSvaccine’ and links to the NHS.uk website you can be sure that it’s the right invite.
“For any messages you might get about the vaccine, always remember that the NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details, your PIN or banking password.
“The NHS will also never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine, or ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.”
Anyone who prefers not to travel to a vaccination centre or pharmacy can choose to wait to be invited by their GP.
Across the UK to date, more than 22 million people have received a first dose of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Our vaccination rollout is moving at a blistering speed and these text alerts will increase the pace by making it even easier for people to get booked in for their jab.
“Thanks to the tireless work of our NHS staff, two in every five adults now have some degree of protection.
“Vaccines are the best way of securing our long-term freedom and will save thousands of lives, so I urge everyone to take up the offer when the text pings into their phone.”
