If you’re aged 65-69, don’t miss out on life-saving Covid jab
NHS PLEA AS VACCINE INVITATIONS GO OUT TO NEXT PRIORITY GROUP
ANYONE aged 65 to 69 in the East Midlands who is yet to be vaccinated is being urged to respond to their invitation and get their lifesaving coronavirus vaccine at one of the centres and pharmacy-led sites across the region.
More than two thirds of people aged 65 to 69 have had their first dose and everyone in this age group is now eligible to receive it.
More than one million invitation letters arrived in homes across England this week and online bookings are open.
Anyone aged 65 or over can get an appointment in one of the vaccination centres by booking through the national booking service.
The fresh call comes as jab invites for 64-year-olds begin arriving on doormats. Nearly half a million people nationwide are being asked to book a slot at one of the larger vaccination centres.
Alison Tonge, regional director of commissioning at NHS England and NHS improvement in the Midlands, said: “NHS staff, volunteers and other partners across the East Midlands have done an incredible job so far delivering the largest vaccination drive in our history, at the same time as dealing with high levels of Covid19 hospital patients.
“To the small proportion of people who have been invited but not come forward yet, I would urge you to do so this week.
“Vaccines are the best weapon we have in the fight against coronavirus, and local services are going to great lengths to ensure local people can get this protection in a safe and convenient place.
“And to the wider public, NHS staff need you to continue to play your part too.
“That means, unless you are in the groups being invited now, please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you when it is the right time.
“When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you are asked to. Whether you have had your vaccine or not, please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives.”
Since the NHS became the first health service in the world to give out a Covid-19 vaccine in December, when 90-year old Maggie Keenan got her jab in Coventry, more than a million people in the East Midlands have had their first dose.
The NHS moved to the next phase of the biggest vaccination programme in its history last month, with people aged 65 and over and an expanded group of clinically vulnerable people receiving the vaccine, to be followed by 64-year-olds.
Larger vaccination centres have been opened across the region, including Lincolnshire Showground.
These venues have been chosen for accessibility and for providing enough space for high numbers of people to have their vaccine and maintain safe social distancing.
High street pharmacists have also joined the great mobilisation to protect the country, and people in the 65 and over age bracket can get their appointment at a community pharmacy if they prefer.
With important progress already made – including everyone aged 65 years old and over being offered a jab, and all care homes visited for vaccination where it is safe to do so - the NHS is now seeking to drive uptake among the next priority groups.
People who have received a letter can find the national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination and choose from 107 large-scale vaccination centres or 195 pharmacysites.
Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, any time between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.
Although having your NHS number to hand will reduce the booking time, knowing it is not required to get a slot for a jab, as anyone in the top six priority groups identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation can book their appointment online or by phone.
Should anybody aged 65 to 69 want to wait to be called by their local GP vaccination service, they are still able to do so.