The UK’s national vaccination programme has made rapid progress since it began in December, with millions of vaccines already administered and hundreds of thousands more people getting them each day. For daily updates on the how the national programme is progressing, click here.

At its launch, the Government - on the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) - split the vaccination programme into 2 phases based on clinical need in order to increase its effectiveness and save lives.

Since September, the JCVI has began a programme of booster shots and has extended the vaccination programme to children aged 12 and above. Some people are also eligible for Third Primary Doses. 

      12-18 year olds

People aged 16 to 17 and 9 months can use the national booking system, walk-in clinics. to find a centre offering this service, click here. They are also now eligible for a second dose 12 weeks after their first. From Monday 22 November. 

Children aged 12 to 15 will be offered 1 dose at their school setting or at a suitable walk-in centre. Those with underlying health conditions or living with people with an immunosuppressed person - will be contacted by the Kent and Medway Clinical Care Commission for arrangements to be made for two doses. More information can be found here. 

       Booster vaccinations

In line with the guidance set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on 14 September, the NHS vaccination programme will now invite eligible people, who had their second Covid-19 jab at least six months ago, for a top up.

Those eligible include: 

• People living in residential care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• people with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19, as well as adult carers
• adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
• anyone aged 18-years-old and over

Although you can pre-book a booster dose from 2 months (61 days) after your 2nd dose, the appointment dates you'll be offered will be from 3 months (91 days) after your 2nd dose.

       Third Primary Doses

Third Primary Doses are made available for immunosuppressed individuals up to 8 weeks after their second dose. People who fall into this category will be contacted by the NHS to let them know. These can now be booked online or by 119. Having a third primary dose does not preclude you from having a booster later. 

 Spring boosters

Spring boosters are available for the following patient groups.

• Those aged 75 and over (including house bound patients)
• Adult care home residents
• Those aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed

The rollout of a second booster will begin on 21 March. Those who are eligible will be invited by the NHS to have their booster, or will be able to attend a vaccination clinic by booking on the national booking service, or by visiting a walk-in centre where available. The Spring booster will only be available six months after the first booster.

Local vaccination providers will make contact with care homes and house bound patients to organise their visit.

Immunosuppressed people aged 12 and over must present evidence of their eligibility when attending booked or walk-in clinics.

Vaccination centres

There are several large vaccination centres and participating pharmacy sites throughout Kent and in neighbouring parts of Sussex. A full list can be found here.

Appointments are subject to vaccine availability and national vaccination supplies faced constraints in April leading to an emphasis on providing second doses for patients in Phase 1. This can result in people finding they can only book appointments some distance away from their chosen centre, but as the national supply improves, more local appointments should come online. 

The vaccination centre is operated by Pharmacy2U at L37, Lower Mall, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2SS

Other nearby pharmacy services include: 

• Sovereign Way Vaccination Centre - Tonbridge
• Avicenna Pharmacy - Tonbridge
• Ticehurst Pharmacy
• Sevenoaks Pharmacy (Walk-in)
• Field Pharmacy, East Peckham

All of the above can be booked online here or by calling 119.