Sir Elton John and Sir Michael Caine have joined the campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated against coronavirus.

The showbusiness giants star in a 90-second video organised by Lord Ara Darzi who leads Imperial REACT COVID Surveillance Study Group.

Sir Elton John said, “I wanted to take part in this film to help show people the benefits of getting vaccinated and how it helps protect ourselves and the people we love.

“So, I hope we can all come together and do our bit in the fight against this wretched disease.”

The film shows Sir Elton, 73, ‘auditioning’ for an advert promoting the jab.

The singer says, “The more people in society who get vaccinated, the more chance there is of eradicating the national Covid pandemic

“It’s really important to know that the vaccines have all been through and met the necessary safety and quality standards.”

Sir Elton then pretends to get the jab before bursting in to his 1983 hit I’m Still Standing.

The unimpressed ‘director’ tells him ‘thanks Elton we will let you know’ to which he replies, ‘Well at this short notice you won’t find anyone bigger’.

The film then cuts to Sir Michael, 87, who says the vaccine ‘didn’t hurt’, adding his famous catch phrase: “Not many people know that.”

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS said, “Well over nine out of ten people aged 75 and over have already taken up the offer of their NHS Covid vaccination, and now we want to encourage everyone in the high priority groups to do so.

“That’s why we’re grateful to Sir Elton and Sir Michael for helping the NHS promote vaccine uptake, building on the fast and efficient programme to date, which has seen the NHS already vaccinate one in four adults across England.” 

Lord Darzi said, “I am really pleased that Elton and Michael were keen to do this video, to show how quick and easy it is to get vaccinated and why it’s so important.

“They recognise that the vaccines approved by the medical regulator are safe and effective and the more people who have them, the sooner we will curb the pandemic and get the country, and the world, back to normal. I am very grateful to both of them for their generous participation and thanks also should be given to the brilliant writer Stephen Pipe and producer, Clare Gibson who both generously gave their time to this.”

The NHS is delivering Covid vaccinations at more than 1,500 sites across the country and is on track to have offered a jab to everyone in the top four highest priority groups by the middle of this month.

Most people need to wait to be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn to receive it.

However, people aged 70 or over who have not yet been vaccinated can now arrange a vaccination is through national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination without first being contacted.

The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. If a suitable slot is not available people can also contact their GP practice direct. 

Those who have received a letter asking them to shield because they are clinically extremely vulnerable should be contacted by their local family doctor.

Health and social care workers, who are also among the top four priority groups for vaccination, should speak to their employer about arranging their vaccine.