Adults aged 75 and over, residents in a care home for older adults and those over the age of 12 who are immunosuppressed are now being offered a jab in the Covid spring Booster programme.

People will usually be offered an appointment around six months after their last dose of the vaccine.

A total of 29 sites will offer jabs from 1 April and vaccination programme leads are planning additional pop-up sites to give a wide coverage across Dorset. As well as running the spring booster programme they’ll also be the opportunity for anyone who has not yet had their earlier jabs to grab them now.

Prof Dawn Dawson, director of Nursing, Therapies and Quality at Dorset HealthCare, which is managing the vaccination programme with system partners, said: “As we have done throughout the programme, the Dorset health and care system is working closely together to provide a range of locations for people to get their vaccine.

“We have a high number of cases of COVID-19 in our communities right now so it’s all the more important we continue to protect ourselves, particularly those who are most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill.”

You can book via the National Booking System online (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/) or by calling 119. There are also walk-ins available at some locations – visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site to find a vaccination site.

There will be special arrangements to visit residents of care homes for older adults and those who are housebound and eligible for the vaccination.

Anyone who is severely immunosuppressed and has not had all their vaccinations should have them as soon as possible. You may need another booster as well as your usual flu injection in the autumn.