The vaccination rollout is extending so patients aged 38 and over can now book in their Covid jab.

From today, anyone aged 38 and over and those who will turn 38 before 1 July 2021, are now eligible for their coronavirus vaccination.

The latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is that those who are 39 and under should have the Pfizer – BioNTech vaccine and local clinics are being set up to allow for this.

Patients up and down the country will have received text messages this morning from the national NHS booking system but health bosses locally are encouraging people to first try and book via the local system.

Appointments via the national system are snapped up fast meaning potentially longer waits, health bosses here advise using the local swiftqueue site instead – see below for full instructions on how to book.

Alternatively, patients can wait for their GP to contact them. People have been asked not to contact their surgery.

A vaccine spokesperson said: "Please be aware that appointment slots for first dose PfizerBio-NTech at all local sites are limited at the moment but as additional supplies of the vaccine are delivered availability will increase."

Dr Sulaxni Nainani, a local GP, added: "Please be reassured the vaccine is safe to take and it is the best protection we have against coronavirus. Appointments are regularly being made available across LLR over the coming weeks and bookings can be made online for any vaccination site that has availability locally to you.

"If you experience any delays or difficulties in booking an appointment to be vaccinated please call 119 as they are available to support you with the process.

"With Covid restrictions being eased next week it's so important that we do everything we can to help prevent the spread of the virus and protect ourselves and our communities by getting vaccinated when given the opportunity.

"To date we have administered more than 820,000 doses of vaccine in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland but it's important we don't let our guard down now and that everyone eligible has the vaccine when they can."

All vaccination clinics in LLR are open to the following eligible groups:

Anyone aged 38 and over or anyone who will turn 38 before 1 July 2021

Anyone at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)

Anyone who has a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically

vulnerable)

Anyone that has a learning disability

Anyone that is a carer

The swiftqueue booking process:

Visit swiftqueue.co.uk/leicesterc19v.php

Click on 'Book an appointment' next to your chosen vaccination site

If you are asked for a pin, enter CovidVL19

Register as a new user – Please ensure you enter your NHS number – click here to find it

Pick the patient option on the form and fill in your details. If you are a member of the public please ignore all references to 'staff' or 'employer' and write the word 'Patient' in all fields related to employment.

Choose a date and time for your initial vaccination. The system will automatically generate a second slot.

Check your inbox and junk mail for an email that confirms your booking. You will also receive a text reminder if you filled in the contact number field

To book a vaccine and to find out more about the vaccination programme visit: https://www.leicestercityccg.nhs.uk/my-health/coronavirus-advice/coronavirus-vaccine/