With teenagers aged 16 and 17 now eligible for Covid vaccines those nearing their 18th birthday can also now book online.

Teenagers within three months of turning 18 are now able to book their vaccine appointment online through the National Booking Service or by calling 119.

Text messages have been sent to more than 100,000 eligible teens inviting them to arrange their jab, with NHS chiefs urging young people to get protected against the virus ahead of going to university in September.

Findings from the Office for National Statistics last week showed that willingness to get jabbed has increased among 18 to 21 year olds and more than 1.4 million people between 18 and 24 have already been jabbed.

In line with Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance issued last week, the NHS is already vaccinating people who are 16 and 17 with a single dose of the jab at GP and walk-in sites.

Children aged 12 to 15 who are clinically vulnerable to covid or who live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus are also being contacted by the NHS and invited for their vaccine.

In Cornwall, teenagers can get jabs in the following locations at walk-in clinics, depending on their age:

  • Stithians and Wadebridge: Royal Cornwall Showground and Stithians Showground mass vaccination centres, Monday to Sunday, 3pm to 6pm. Pfizer vaccines for people aged 17 and nine months, or older (first doses only).
  • Redruth: Redruth Health Centre, Forth Noweth, Redruth, TR15 1AU this Thursday, August 19 from 5pm to 8pm. First doses for people 16 or older, second doses are available to adults 18 or older who had their first dose eight weeks before.

NHS medical director of primary care and deputy lead for vaccination programme in England, Dr Nikki Kanani, said: “There has been an incredible response to the biggest and most successful vaccination drive in health history with nine in ten adults in England now protected with at least one dose.

"As teenagers prepare to head to university or into their first full-time jobs, it is vital they get protection from coronavirus by getting their vaccine in line with updated guidance.

“Whether you are out and about enjoying your summer break before university classes start, or eagerly anticipating the freedoms that being 18 brings, it has never been easier to get your life-saving jab at one of the hundreds of vaccination sites or pop-up clinics across the country including festivals, theme parks, places of worships and town halls.”

Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’ and include a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment.

People who cannot go online can call the service on 119 instead to book their jab.

People who attended a walk-in clinic for their first dose will have their vaccination record updated online and will then be able to book in their second dose appointment using the National Booking Service.