News

Londoners aged 65 to 69 and clinically vulnerable offered Covid jab

From tomorrow (Monday) NHS staff will begin vaccinating people aged 65 to 69 and those who are clinically vulnerable against Covid.

Almost 160,000 Londoners between 65-69 have already received a letter asking them to log on to the national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination with more to land at the start of next week.

Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

Those who receive a letter can choose from 13 large scale vaccination centres or 45 pharmacy services across the capital.

In the next phase, which begins tomorrow, GP led vaccination sites will initially focus on the clinically vulnerable from cohort 6 because of the relationship between general practice and those with long term conditions, and continuity of care.

The drive to vaccinate these new groups comes after the NHS in London has vaccinated in a matter of weeks more than 1.4 million people in the first four priority groups, which included those aged 70 and over, care home residents and staff, the extremely clinically vulnerable and NHS staff.

More high street pharmacists are being invited to take part as the programme continues to accelerate.

Sir David Sloman, Regional Director for the NHS in London said:

“Thanks to the fantastic efforts of hard-working NHS staff and volunteers, the largest vaccination programme in the health service’s history is entering a new phase tomorrow.

“The NHS in London will now move on to those aged 65 and over and the clinically vulnerable as part of our plan to vaccinate as many people as possible who can benefit from it.

“However, if you have already been offered a jab but have not taken it up it is not too late. Please come forward and help us to help you.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

“The vaccination programme is continuing at an unprecedented speed and, as we’re on target to offer vaccines to all those in the first four priority groups by Monday, we are determined to keep up the momentum by expanding it even further.

“The NHS is doing everything it can to offer vaccines to the most vulnerable as quickly as possible, and today’s news will mean millions more at-risk individuals will be able to access a jab from next week.

“We will continue to accelerate the vaccination programme even further and I want to thank everyone in the NHS, volunteers and the armed forces for their tireless dedication.”

Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi said:

 “The NHS is working tirelessly to protect our loved ones from this terrible virus and I’m delighted the majority of people who are most at risk have now been offered a vaccine.

“Every jab in the arm is another step closer to returning to normality in the future and that’s why we are now inviting the next priority group to book their appointments.

“If you are aged 65 and over, sit tight and you will be contacted by the NHS soon to book an appointment. I encourage everyone invited to book their jab as soon as they’re contacted, so they can protect themselves and others from the virus.”

People aged 70 or over should contact the national booking service while health and care workers should speak to their employers.

People who book into a vaccine centre will be greeted by volunteers who will marshal car parks and register them when they arrive.

They will receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab.

Appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and people who do book are being asked not to turn up early to avoid creating queues.

GPs are contacting those who are housebound to jab them at home.

Vaccines are currently being administered at over 200 sites across the capital including mosques and shopping centres to rugby grounds and theatres.

Sites have been chosen to ensure that the vast majority of people, 98%, live within 10 miles of at least one vaccination service.

The NHS made history when Maggie Keenan became the first person in the world to be protected against coronavirus outside of a clinical trial when she received the Pfizer vaccine at Coventry Hospital on 8 December. 90-year-old George Dyer was the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccination in London, at Croydon Hospital.