People aged 42 can now book their Covid jabs via the national NHS booking site. 

The move comes as more than 60,000 vaccinations have been given in Rutland and Melton.

Anyone who is already 42, or will be before July 1, can now make an appointment at available centres online.

Text messages and letters will also be sent out encouraging people to get booked in.  

The news comes as the roll out across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland continues, with tens of thousands of both first and second doses being given every week. 

Caroline Trevithick, chief nurse at Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland's CCG, said: "We are making really good progress and getting through the numbers, April has been a slower month but we always knew it would be. 

"As well as inviting people back for second doses, which means those in cohorts one to nine are now starting to be fully vaccinated, we have continued to move down the age groups and give first doses."

Headlines and concerns about the Oxford Astra Zeneca have worried patients but, haven't slowed the pace of the roll-out, Caroline said. 

"We are finding that the Oxford Astra Zeneca clinics are taking a little longer, patients who are coming along have more questions and want that extra reassurance given. 

"That said, there are very few people who turn up and leave without having it. Our staff are ready to answer questions, address concerns and that means that people feel comfortable to go ahead. 

"It's important to take that time and have those conversations because there are some people we don't want to have that specific dose, so talking about the risks and benefits is something we need to do with everyone that comes in."

Data is being used so that teams of vaccinators can set up in areas where take up is low, oen example is a pop-up walk-in clinic that will be offering vaccines to eligible patients in Beaumont Leys this week. 

The clinic will run from Wednesday 28 April to Friday 30 April at Barley Croft Community Centre, 21 Malham Close, Leicester, LE4 0UT.

Eligible patients don't need to make an appointment and can just turn up for the sessions which will run between 12pm – 8pm on all three days.

Caroline said: "Having the Covid vaccination is the best way of getting out of the pandemic and getting back to doing the things we enjoy in the future. We want to make it easy for people to have their vaccination and to help them feel supported if they have questions. 

"Our previous pop-up clinic in the St Matthews area of Leicester was very successful and we hope that this second clinic will make it more convenient for people in the Beaumont Leys area to be able to get their vaccination."

Dr Durairaj Jawahar, who is helping run the clinic, added: "We urge anyone that is yet to have their first dose of the vaccine to come along at a time that is convenient for you to be vaccinated. You don't need to book an appointment in advance and we are on hand to help answer any questions."

Rutland MP Alicia Kearns said on Facebook yesterday: "Two thirds of those aged 45-49 have received their first dose, and we can now move to another phase as a result of our hugely successful vaccination programme.

"Over 46.3 million vaccine doses have already been administered, including over 60,000 in Rutland and Melton, meaning we have one of the most effective and fastest rollouts in the world.

"A new study shows that those who received just one dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech were 65% less likely to get a new COVID-19 infection, across all age groups.

"We should be incredibly proud of our progress, and I strongly encourage everyone, when they are invited, to get their jab and beat COVID-19."

All eligible groups will need to provide some form of ID on arrival to verify their identity, those unable to provide this you may be turned away. Unpaid carers will not be asked to provide evidence they are a carer.

To book via the NHS website, click here.