One million more people in their thirties can now get the Covid jab, as the NHS opens bookings for people aged 32 and 33 from today (Saturday).

As the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in NHS history continues rolling out, 1.1 million more people will be able to book their jab at nhs.uk from 7am. It is the third expansion of the age limit in just one week.

More than four in ten adults have had both doses, meaning they have maximum protection from the virus.

Texts inviting people to book a vaccination will be sent to those aged 33 from today and those aged 32 from Monday.

Since the booking service opened for people under 40 just over a week ago, 2.6 million more bookings have already been made.

People 39 and under who are eligible and pregnant women will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in line with recently updated Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance.

Also on the advice of the government and JCVI, people aged 50 and over and the clinically vulnerable are having their second doses brought forward, where possible, to counter the spread of the variant B1.617.2 originating in India. Nobody needs to contact the NHS and people will be told to rebook if they need to.

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The NHS is urging everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of a jab at one of the 1,600 locations across the country.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “Today, the biggest NHS vaccination programme in history hits another milestone as we pass 50 million life-saving jabs delivered across England. Over four fifths of people in their forties and over half of people aged 35-39 have now had their first jab, and today we're extending the offer to 33 year olds."

By following a link and booking steps, people can book both jabs at the same time and can choose from a list of NHS Vaccination Centres or pharmacy-led vaccination services as well as some GP-led sites.

Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’, including 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.