The NHS system for booking booster jabs is blocking patients from getting their vaccine, it has emerged, despite the Health Secretary’s pledge that anyone eligible can use the website.

       Sajid Javid confirmed on Wednesday that over-50s can book their Covid booster within a week of becoming eligible, even if they have not received an invitation from the NHS.

       “If you haven’t been invited within a week of reaching that six-month milestone then please, get on to the National Booking Service and book online or phone 119,” Mr Javid said at a press conference from Downing Street.

       He added: “We really could lose that progress if people don’t take up their vaccination offers.”

       But eligible patients said the website is still blocking them from making an appointment and called on the Health Secretary to fix the website rather than blaming patients.

       Maureen Stewart Jones, a retired teacher who is 81, said she is yet to be invited for her booster but was told by the NHS website and 119 she is “not eligible”.

       “They are sending me from pillar to post,” she told The Telegraph.

       It is now six months and a week since she received her second dose but when she tried to book the jab through 119, the vaccine helpline, she was told to use the online system.

       “I used the link, I went online, added all my details, but I was told I am not eligible for booking the booster and they suggested I get in touch with 119,” she said.

       “I am 81, I had my second injection on the 14 April which is over six months now, there’s no real evidence that I am going to be called, I am just being told I am not eligible which I don’t understand.”

       She said Mr Javid “obviously doesn’t know anything about” the situation “otherwise he would know people cannot do it online”.

       Ms Stewart Jones, who lives in St Helens, said she has taken all advised precautions during the pandemic and continues to wear a mask and avoid crowded places.

       “I don’t go out as much as I used to… I’ve looked after myself, I’ve been very very careful. I don’t want to jeopardise that… I just want my booster,” she said.

       Edward Argar, the Health minister, said on Thursday people no longer needed to wait to be invited to get their booster vaccine if the right amount of time had passed.

       “We've made a change, which is it's not just about waiting to be invited,” he told Sky News. “If you get to the six months plus one week, go on the national booking system and book yourself in.

       “There's also the other factor which... does not delay but phases the rollout, which is the JCVI's current advice, which is don't have your booster until six months afterwards.

       “So, if you look back six months, that cohort is starting to come through now.”

       But others have expressed difficulty getting an appointment through the NHS booking site.

       Rick Wiggans wrote on Twitter: “Ok [Sajid Javid], if you want me to have my booster, best make one available. Am now more than 6 months after 2nd jab. Try to book, you can’t. Maybe fix your website instead of blaming the public.”

       Another user in Cambridge wrote: “I have waited more than the full 6 months and I can't book a booster. The website says I am not eligible. I am.

       “I called 119 and they said they use the same system so they can't do anything about it and I need to wait to be invited.”

       Ed Baines said he was invited to book his booster from the NHS via text, but was still unable to do so. “They gave me a website and a phone number to book. The website told me it was not available for booking boosters,” he said.

       Mr Baines rang the national booking line and was “offered a slot 17 miles away”, despite a vaccine centre being located “just up the road”.

       Another said her husband’s second dose was over six months ago but he is yet to be contacted by the NHS.

       “Trying to book on NHS website states not eligible to book. To suggest that those who bothered in early days of roll out to get both jabs are now reluctant to get a booster is ludicrous,” she wrote.

       An NHS spokesperson said: “Over four million people have already received their top-up jab, with around 5.5 million people invited and almost two million more due to get their invite this week as they become eligible. People who are eligible can book in for their vaccination through the national booking service or by calling 119.”