All over 70s told to contact the NHS for their vaccine
f you've not yet had your vaccine, you are being invited to call 119 for free. The lines will be open from 7am to 11pm.
Up until now, the NHS has been encouraging people to wait to be contacted but tonight the Health Secretary Matt Hancock is inviting everyone over 70 years old to get in touch.
According to figures released tonight:
- 91% of people over 80 have had the vaccine, and 93% of care home residents
- 95% of people aged between 75-79 have had it
- and around 75% of people aged 70-74 have received a first dose
Health and social care workers, who are also among the top four priority groups for vaccination, should speak to their employer about arranging their jab if they have not yet had one.
Everyone in the top four priority groups will be offered the first dose of the vaccine by the target of Feb 15th. The top four groups include:
- people aged 70 and over
- people who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable
- people who live or work in care homes
- health and social care workers
The order in which people are offered the vaccine is based on national advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Everyone will be offered the vaccine free of charge regardless of their immigration status.
Last week, we interviewed the Head of the Kent & Medway Vaccine programme, Gail Locock. We asked Gail a series of questions from the public about the roll out across Kent & Medway.
Gail told us they are on track to hit the target set by the Government to offer the first vaccination to the top four priority groups by Feb 15th.
Have you had your vaccine?
Would you share your story with us? We really want to hear from you.
How did you get your appointment? How did you feel when you got the news? Was the clinic well organised? Did you feel safe?
All these questions, and more, are so important. Your feedback can help organisations to ensure the vaccine programme works for us all.
