PEOPLE are being asked to get their Covid booster vaccination to top-up their protection ahead of winter.

Those who are at greater risk from the virus, including over 50s, those with underlying health conditions, carers and health and social care workers are being called forward to receive an extra jab.

It is only being offered to people in the eligible categories if they received their second dose 182 days, or six months and one week, ago.

There are three main ways for eligible people to access their booster vaccination in Sussex:

1. Use the national booking system

The NHS will contact you to let you know when you are eligible to use the National Booking System by going online or calling 119.

You may receive a text or a letter inviting you to use the system, where you will be able to log on to the website or book over the phone.

You will be able to see available appointments at vaccination centres, pharmacy led services, and some GP led services.

If you are eligible and it’s been longer than 182 days since your last vaccine dose, but you have not been contacted yet, please try to book your appointment on www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or if you can’t use the website, by calling 119.

The system is being updated every day, so do not worry if it currently says you are not eligible, just keep trying.

2. Wait to be contacted by your local GP led vaccination service

Some GP vaccination services are not using the National Booking System to arrange their appointments. If this is the case for your GP service, they will contact you directly to book your appointment.

3. Attend a walk in session

If you fit the eligible criteria you can attend any walk in vaccination service near you.

No NHS number or ID is required but it does speed things up if you do have your NHS number with you. Health and care workforce will be asked to show their work ID.

See the list of walk in sessions in Sussex on the Sussex Health and Care Partnership Website.

A spokeswoman from Sussex Covid-19 vaccination programme said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to receive their Covid-19 booster when it is their turn.

“It is important that those most at risk of serious illness receive a booster vaccination ahead of the winter period. If it has been six months since your second Covid-19 vaccination, your immunity to the virus will be beginning to drop.

“There are plenty of vaccines available and the roll out of boosters is steady to ensure our teams can also continue to provide first and second doses to those who still need them."

This map shows the number of booster jabs taken up by people by NHS region.

If you are unsure how to access your booster vaccination or if you are having trouble booking an appointment, call the vaccine enquiry phone line on 0800 433 4545 (open 9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday).

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.