High Demand for Third Jabs Leads to Hours-Long Waits Across the Country
Hundreds of people across the UK faced extended queues to receive their Covid-19 booster jab on the first day of the expanded vaccination rollout. Chaos ensued as lateral flow tests ran out on the government website and the NHS booking system struggled to cope with the surge in demand.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the acceleration of the booster campaign, aiming to offer all adults a third dose by the end of December — a month earlier than initially planned.
At St Thomas’ Vaccination Centre in Westminster, waiting times reached six hours, with queues wrapping around the building. The hospital trust urged the public to anticipate delays due to the “high demand” for walk-in appointments.
Arthur, 36, who queued at St Thomas’, expressed frustration, saying: “I work nearby in Mayfair and I’m searching for another site. The wait here is just too long, but I want to get this done to return to normal life.”
Ria Burke, a 25-year-old operations manager, said, “This is the first day my age group can get the booster. I live close by and want to protect my family this Christmas. It’s my third jab, and I’ve been waiting since last night’s announcement by the prime minister.”
In Sevenoaks, Kent, residents at a local pharmacy faced a three-hour queue, while Essentials Pharmacy in Covent Garden reported hour-and-a-half waits. Grace Whiley, 26, shared her urgency, saying, “I’m pregnant and want to be as protected as possible. It’s a last-minute decision since I work nearby, but I need this done.”
To support the rollout, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the deployment of 600 armed forces personnel to assist the NHS. Meanwhile, Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned of a “phenomenal” spread of the Omicron variant, stressing that the UK faces a race between vaccinations and infections.
During a visit to a vaccination centre, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “The idea that Omicron is a milder version needs to be dismissed. It’s spreading at an extraordinary speed. The best defence is to ensure everyone gets boosted.”
