Due for the second COVID-19 vaccine dose? Here's what you need to know

Second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination are being brought forward for people aged over 50, frontline health and social care workers, and people who are in at-risk groups.

This follows the government announcement last week reducing the time between doses for those groups from 12 to around 8 weeks. This is to ensure people across the UK have the strongest possible protection from the virus at an earlier opportunity.

People in cohorts 1-9, who have an appointment before May 25, should attend as planned, but those with later appointments will be contacted to make new arrangements as soon as possible, with no need to contact their GP or vaccination centre.

Wait to be contacted

NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group Primary Care Medical Director Alex Degan said: "Please be patient and wait for us to contact you.

"Our GP practices and vaccination centres are very busy working to rearrange these appointments. We know that some people will be anxious to have their second dose as soon as possible and will call you as soon as we can.

"If you need proof of your vaccination status please use the NHS app or call 119. Your GP will not be able to provide this for you."

Patients who used the National Booking Service will receive a text message prompting them to cancel their existing second appointment and rebook an earlier one.

Why are the second doses being brought forward?

The move has been announced by the UK government as part of plans to tackle rising cases of the B1.617.2 variant of concern first identified in India.

It follows updated advice from the independent experts at the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which has considered the latest available evidence and recommended reducing the dosing interval to help protect the nation from the variant.

Those who are aged under 50 and in cohort 10 will continue to get a second dose at 12 weeks.

Vaccination centres are also reminding people not to turn up more than five minutes early for their appointment. If people have driven and arrived more than five minutes early they are being asked to wait in their car until closer to the appointment time.