Everyone over 50 now able to book in for the jab

PEOPLE aged 50 and over in Leicestershire are now being invited to book a Covid-19 vaccination jab if they have not already been offered one.

The NHS national booking system is allowing those who are 50 or older to come forward and book their appointment.

According to latest statistics, more 365,000 people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have now had at least one dose.

There are about 660,000 people that still need vaccinating.

Patients need their NHS number to book.

The government has vowed to vaccinate every adult in the UK by the end of July but a recent report claimed that all over-18s could have had at least their first jab by June.

Vaccines are being delivered in the following order:

■■All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers;

■■All people 75 years of age and over;

■■All people 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals;

■■All people 65 years of age and over;

■■All individuals aged 16 to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality;

■■All those 60 years of age and over;

■■All people 55 years of age and over;

■■All people 50 years of age and over;

■■Those 40 and over, those 30 and over and then the 18 to 29-year-olds.

Some areas could see appointments being offered to over 40s in the next week or so given the rate of progress and high take-up.

Text messages are being sent to those registered with a GP practice but eligible patients can also book online.