The NHS is prioritising vaccinating those experts have agreed will benefit from having it the most.
From Monday 15th February, people in cohorts 5 and 6 are being invited by the NHS to have their vaccine.
These are:
Cohort 5 – all those 65 years of age and over
Cohort 6 – all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
Local GP vaccination services are focusing initially on the clinically vulnerable from cohort 6 because of the relationship between general practice and those with long term conditions, and continuity of care.
People may also receive a letter from the National Booking Service inviting them to book at a Large Vaccination Centre. In the North East this is Newcastle’s Centre for Life and the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East, Sunderland with a third Large Vaccination Centre location opening in Durham opening soon.
People may wish to wait a little while until they receive an invitation from their own GP practice as this is likely to be closer to where they live and might be more convenient depending on individual circumstances.
We know people are very keen to have their vaccine but remember it might be more convenient to wait for your local vaccination service run by GPs to get in touch.
People should not be worried about travelling to a large vaccination centre, everyone in the priority cohorts who wants to have a vaccination can do so from their local GP vaccination service.
If you want to wait to be called by your local GP vaccination service then don’t respond to the national booking service invitation.
The way the cohorts are being invited may result in a younger person with a underlying health condition being offered an appointment before someone in the over 65 year age group. This doesn’t mean you have been missed so please wait until the NHS contacts you.
In the meantime the message remains the same – the NHS will be in contact with you when the time is right for you to be invited for your vaccine. Please do not contact the NHS, please wait for the NHS to contact you.