The next groups of people eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine are now being invited by the NHS to have their jabs.
The NHS is prioritising vaccinating those that experts have agreed will benefit from having it the most, as they are at most risk.
From yesterday, people in cohorts five and six 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 will be calling in both cohorts.
People in Cohort 5 may also receive a letter from the National Booking Service, providing an alternative option which invites them to book at a large vaccination centre.
However, as you would need to travel further for your vaccination it might be more convenient for people to wait for their local vaccination service run by their GPs to get in touch.
Everyone in the priority cohorts who want to have a vaccination can do so from their local GP vaccination service.
The nearest large vaccination centres at the moment are located in Kendal, Ulverston and Lancaster.
There are also sites in the North East at 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 who want to wait to be called by their local GP vaccination service, do not respond to the national booking service invitation.
The NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The way the cohorts are being invited may result in a younger person with an underlying health condition being offered an appointment before someone in the over-65 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.
“If you are over 70 years old and have still not been contacted please now make contact with your surgery so they can advise you on when you can expect an appointment.
“If you have had a vaccination please continue to follow the national guidance at this time, stay home, protect the NHS and help to save lives.”
