Text service to ‘make it easier to book jab’

THE NHS is to send text messages to 400,000 people asking them to book a Covid jab, with reminders for those who do not come forward.

As part of efforts to boost uptake, text invitations will be sent to those 55 and over, with a link to reserve an appointment at one of more than 300 mass centres or pharmacies in England.

Health officials stressed that invitation letters will continue to be sent, and that those who prefer not to travel to the sites can wait to be invited by their GP.

But they said the “quick and easy service ... will hopefully make it more convenient for people to book their jab”.

At first, texts will be sent to almost 400,000 people aged 55 and over and 40,000 unpaid carers. Reminders will then be sent every two to three weeks to encourage people to get their vaccine if they have not taken up the offer.

Some Gp-led and hospital vaccina- tion services are already using text messages to issue invitations. But the new automated texts from “Nhsvaccine” will mean hundreds of thousands of people can be sent invitations at once.

Dr Nikki Kanani, NHS medical director for primary care, said: “We know some people are worried about scams, but if the message comes from ‘Nhsvaccine’ and links to the NHS.UK website you can be sure it’s the right invite.”