The number of people in Devon not attending their second appointment has risen in recent weeks, and so the NHS in Devon is seeking to remind people just how vital it is to have both doses to protect yourself from the virus.

Those who are eligible should:

1. Book their second vaccination if it wasn't booked at the time of the first,
2. Attend both appointments,
3. If they've had a second dose elsewhere, they should cancel the original appointment.

You can keep checking the National Booking Service for new dates if you haven't booked an appointment for your second dose.

NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group Primary Care Medical Director, Alex Degan, said: "It is really important to have both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in order to have maximum protection from the virus.

"If you can't make your appointment, or have already had your second dose elsewhere, please cancel your booking to allow someone else to take your place and prevent vaccines from being wasted."

Tina Henry, Deputy Director for Public Health Devon said: "The vaccines are an important frontline defence to help prevent you from becoming seriously ill or requiring hospital treatment should you catch coronavirus. One dose gives you partial protection, the second dose will give you maximum protection. Please take up you second dose when invited to do so."

A recent study by Public Health England has found that after the second dose, the protection offered by both vaccines to the Indian and Kent variants increases significantly.

People aged 30 and over, those who are at higher risk from Covid-19 and frontline health and care workers are currently eligible for the vaccination. Appointments can be booked on the National Booking Service website or by calling 119.