Boomers are rushing to book summer holidays in the knowledge they will shortly have the Covid vaccine.

Over 50s are among the nine top priority groups and should receive the jab between the end of February and April.

Hayley Chambers, of Thomas Cook, which had a branch in Witney, said: “This month so far we have had more bookings for those aged over 50 than in any full month since we relaunched in September." 

She said this was different from their usual customer base.

"What we’ve seen previously is most bookings have been younger couples looking for last-minute four and five star breaks.

“Now it’s clear there’s been a return in people who will benefit the most from the vaccine rollout booking their holidays for this summer and beyond.”

Meanwhile Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK, which has a branch in Bicester which is currently closed, said 50 per cent of bookings on their website are currently over 50s.

“And many Brits want to get away for longer this year, opting for 14, 10 or 11 nights instead of seven to make up for not having a holiday in 2020,” he added.

Nikki Davies of Trailfinders, in Oxford, agreed that confidence was returning to the travel sector.

She said they were taking lots of bookings for the Maldives as you self-isolate there in effect. Surprisingly, many people were also booking for the US despite its high levels of coronavirus.

Saga, the travel firm for those aged 50 or over, recently announced it will only allow passengers who have had both jabs and waited a further fortnight for them to work.