THE NHS covid vaccination programme continues its rollout to people in their thirties, opening to people aged 36 and 37.

Texts inviting people to book a vaccination were sent to those aged 37 today and to 36-year-olds on Wednesday.

The texts will allow people to access the national booking service at the touch of a button and arrange an appointment at an NHS vaccination centre, pharmacy, or GP vaccination site.

The move to the next age group comes as more than 930,000 appointments were made in the days since the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme opened to 38 and 39-year-olds.

More than three out of four people aged 40 to 49 – over five and a half million people – have also received a vital first dose of protection.

NHS National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Bookings for the fastest and most successful NHS vaccination programme in history continues to surge with more than 930,000 appointments made in a matter of days since opening up to 38 and 39-year-olds.

“With well over 30 million first doses of vital protection against coronavirus delivered just six months into the NHS vaccination drive, the NHS is able to open up to 36 and 37-year-olds as the programme continues at pace.

“On the advice of the government and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), people aged 50 and over and the clinically vulnerable are having their second doses brought forward to counter the spread of the Indian variant.

“Nobody needs to contact the NHS. You will be told how to rebook if you need to."