More than 40,000 people vaccinated in Devon’s Spring COVID-19 jab push

More than 40,000 residents in Devon have received their COVID-19 vaccination in the first week of the Spring campaign, with over 20 per cent of those eligible already protected.

The Spring vaccination programme, which started on 1 April 2025, aims to provide additional protection to those most vulnerable as immunity from previous vaccinations may decrease over time and new strains of the virus emerge.

Dr Alex Degan, a Devon GP, said: “It is great to see so many eligible Devon residents recognising the importance of this vaccination and taking steps to get themselves protected in the first week of the campaign.”

He added: “Protection against COVID-19 (either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination) can fade over time and the circulating strain of the virus can change, so if you are at higher risk of severe illness, it is important that you top up your protection. The vaccine has saved countless lives, prevented thousands from needing to go to hospital and helped us to live with the virus without fear or restrictions.”

Dr Degan encouraged anyone eligible to come forward for the vaccination, saying: “If you or your child are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine this spring, make sure you come forward for this extra protection between 1 April – 17 June 2025.”

The Spring vaccination programme is offering the jab to people at higher risk of severe illness, including those aged 75 and over, residents of care homes for older adults, and individuals with severely weakened immune systems. 

Invitations are being sent out, but people can book their vaccination without waiting for an invite. Eligibility and booking details can be found at www.nhs.uk/bookcovid.

To book, you can:

• Download the NHS App and make an appointment
• Visit www.nhs.uk/book-vaccine
• Visit a walk-in site or community pharmacy (locations are listed at www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in)
• Call 119 for free if you can’t access online booking (translators are available).