Millions are being urged to act now as health officials warn that Covid-19 protection can weaken over time, leaving older and vulnerable people at greater risk than they may realize. With fresh appointments now widely available, the message is clear: those who qualify should not wait to boost their protection.

The latest push is focused on people most likely to become seriously ill, including adults aged 75 and over, care home residents, and those with weakened immune systems. Officials say eligible people can book right away without waiting for an invitation, making it easier to secure an appointment as soon as possible.

Although many people associate Covid-19 with winter, experts say the virus continues to spread all year round. That means warmer days do not remove the risk, especially for those whose immunity may have faded since their last dose. For older adults and vulnerable individuals, staying protected can still be extremely important.

Appointments are now available through GP practices, community pharmacies, online booking systems, the NHS app, the 119 phone service, and walk-in sites. Health leaders are encouraging eligible people to take advantage of the easy access now in place and get protected before the virus causes serious problems.

The renewed campaign comes as the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has described the vaccine rollout as a major success, saying the speed of development and delivery was an extraordinary achievement built on years of scientific research. At the same time, the inquiry said those harmed by vaccines have not received enough support and called for urgent reform of the compensation system.

Even so, the report concluded that vaccine safety standards were not compromised and that the benefits of vaccination far outweighed the risks. With immunity fading and the virus still circulating, officials are making one point stand out above all: if you are eligible, now is the time to act.