Confusion over booster eligibility in England as people in 30s book Covid jabs
There was confusion on Saturday about which age groups in England are now eligible to book a booster jab with the NHS, after an apparent glitch allowed younger people to book before they were expected to qualify.
People aged 30 and over in England were expected to be able to book a Covid-19 booster from Monday as long as it has been three months since their second vaccine dose, but many 30somethings reported on social media on Saturday that they had been able to book their appointments already.
“NHS website will now let you book a booster jab if you’re over 30. Just booked mine!” one Twitter user wrote.
Another user tweeted: “I’ve managed to book a booster jab for Monday 20th through NHS site! Seems they are accepting under-40 bookings even though the page says otherwise!”
However, those under 30 appeared to still be unable to secure an appointment for a booster dose via the NHS website.
Cristian, a 26-year-old from London, tried booking a slot on Saturday via the NHS website but was told he was “not currently able to book through this service”.
However, on Thursday he had been invited by his GP practice to book his booster jab.
“I felt really weird when I received the text because it came completely out of the blue, especially after hearing from the government that my age group was probably not going to be eligible for a booster jab until at least January,” Cristian said.
“I’m happy that local authorities are moving quicker than I thought, but I did question whether the text was a scam because I did not hear anything about a speedier rollout, and I’m afraid some people might not book theirs if they believe the text not to be real.”
Some GPs had started offering booster vaccines to patients under 40 against official NHS guidance.
Health secretary Sajid Javid urged people on Twitter on Saturday afternoon to “come forward and get boosted”.
“We are turbocharging our booster programme,” Javid wrote.
One Twitter user responded to air his frustration and apparent confusion: “We have a [23-year-old], over 5 months since 2nd jab, living at home with CEV [clinically extremely vulnerable] parent. NHS website says eligible for booster. Tried booking and told not eligible. Rang 119, same answer. So much for your turbocharging of the booster programme.”
The NHS website still said on Saturday evening that “the NHS is working on plans to offer a booster dose to everyone aged 18 to 39 years old”, and that people should note that this service is not yet available to book via their portal.
“Please wait to be contacted by the NHS,” a disclaimer on the website added.