PHARMACIES across Dorset offering the Covid-19 vaccine are urging people over 40 to get their jab.

There are free appointment slots over the coming days for the vaccine at local pharmacies.

There is still time to get a first dose - and people aged 40 and over are also now able to book in their second jab earlier - from eight weeks after their first dose, instead of 12.

There are currently five pharmacies across the county with vaccination slots available for the over 40s in the coming days, including the Day Lewis, Chickerell/Wessex Pharmacies in Weymouth.

People are also being reminded to keep to their appointment if they have booked it to ensure that vaccine slots are not wasted.

Appointment slots can be booked now via the National Booking System www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19.

Since the start of the vaccination campaign in December 2020 nearly one million vaccine doses have been delivered in Dorset, with the vast majority of people aged over 40 (around 95 per cent) receiving at least one dose up to 20 June 2021.

For more information on the Covid-19 vaccination programme visit www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/vaccinations.