A media blitz has been launched by the Government encouraging people to take up Covid-19 booster jabs.

The nationwide advertising campaign will run on outdoor billboards, broadcast and community radio and TV to support the national vaccine drive.

It comes as an estimated 4.7 million booster doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been delivered in the UK, up from Wednesday’s total of 4.4 million.

A television advert urging people to “get vaccinated, get boosted, get protected” will play from Friday evening, featuring an NHS nurse explaining the benefits of the flu jab and the coronavirus booster vaccine.

Targeted digital adverts will also feature on social media platforms, digital radio and video websites such as YouTube.

They each stress the importance of being protected during winter, which sees an increased transmission of viruses.

The country’s leading pharmacies, including, LloydsPharmacy and Asda have also backed the call for people to get vaccinated.

HEALTH Coronavirus
(PA Graphics)

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our vaccine programme is building a wall of defence across the country and our booster rollout is now well under way with more than four million jabs in arms.

“As we go into winter, it is vital that eligible people get their booster jab and their flu jab to protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS.

“This is a national mission and I’m hugely grateful to the public, volunteers and NHS workers rolling out jabs.

“It is fantastic to see some of our biggest high street pharmacies give their backing to the winter vaccination programme.”

It comes after Boris Johnson urged the over 50s to come forward and get their booster jabs as soon as they become eligible.

Coronavirus – Fri Oct 22, 2021
The advert encourages people to get their booster jabs (Department of Health and Social Care/PA)

The Prime Minister said: “You get the call, get the jab.

“We have done about four million booster jabs already but as soon as you become eligible, as soon as you get that call, everybody over 50 should be getting that jab.

“Ninety percent of the adult population has antibodies right now but we must fortify ourselves further.

“The numbers (of infections) are high, we can see what’s happening, we can see the increase, now is the time to get those booster jabs.”