The NHS has set out its plans to deliver Covid-19 booster jabs for what will be the biggest and fasted vaccine programme in health service history.

Every adult in the UK will be offered the chance to book a Covid-19 booster vaccine by the end of the year as part of efforts to protect the country against what the prime minister has called the "Omicron emergency".

The plans were announced last night by Boris Johnson, saying it will require an "extraordinary effort" to deliver the vaccines.

Mr Johnson said there is "no doubt" the nation faces a "tidal wave" of Omicron infections and that booster vaccines were vital to protection against a surge in cases.

The booster jab scheme will be delivered by extending opening hours at vaccine clinics, training thousands more volunteer vaccinators and also deploying 42 military planning teams across every region in the UK.

Online bookings are available to everyone aged 30 and above from today.

The booking service will then be open to everyone aged 18 and over from Wednesday this week.

The NHS is urging people to book slots to guarantee their jabs.

The government has said walk-ins will be offered in areas with capacity.

But Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group last week took the decision to suspend booster walk-ins so they could manage the rapid increase in demand and to safely manage the flow of patients.

This means that, for the time being, patients cannot attend a vaccination site for a booster without having made a pre-booked appointment.

Health bosses say the capacity released by suspending walk-in booster vaccinations will see hundreds of additional appointments for boosters added to the National Booking System, so local people will have more opportunity to find a pre-bookable booster appointment via the National Booking System.

Under a national directive, GP teams have been asked to prioritise vaccinations which will mean routine appointments may be postponed.

Cancer treatment and urgent and emergency care should not be affected.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive said: “NHS staff were already working incredibly hard to deliver Covid vaccines as swiftly as possible but the threat posed by Omicron is grave.

“Scientists are very concerned about the spread of Omicron due to the speed with which it spreads and because two doses do not appear to provide much protection but thankfully, a booster dramatically improves this."

How to get your booster jab

Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group says eligible patients should pre-book an appointment for a booster via the NHS national booking service online at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119 (free), between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

Eligible people can book an appointment at two months for a booster vaccination for three months after your second dose.

As of Monday morning, problems booking vaccines via the online system have been reported due to the high volumes of people accessing the site.

Where can you get your jab?

When booking your booster jab, you will be offered a list of the closest vaccine centres available to you based on your postcode.

For more information about the Covid-19 vaccine programme in Norfolk and Waveney can be found here.