While the whole of the NHS doubles down to urge everyone already
invited to take up the offer, new invitations are now going out
nationally to millions of people aged 50 to 54 in the latest
stage of the programme, the biggest in NHS history and fastest in
Europe.
NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “Just 100 days since
the NHS gave the world’s first Covid jab outside of clinical
trials, our vaccine programme passes another milestone as we now
invite everyone aged 50 and over to book their vaccination.”
Today – Wednesday 17th March – marks 100 days since the NHS gave
Maggie Keenan her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination on
December 8th 2020, and broke ground in the global race to protect
people against the coronavirus.
Healthcare teams continue to urge anyone yet to be vaccinated to
take up the offer as around two million additional text messages
go out from today with a link allowing people also to pick a
convenient slot at an NHS vaccine centre, or pharmacy-led service
through the national booking service website.
People who cannot go online can call the service on 119.
The text alerts will be followed up with 2.4 million letters
landing on doorsteps later in the week.
The NHS has already delivered a vaccine to more than 20 million
people in England as supplies have flowed since early December,
with the NHS committed to offering vaccinations as quickly as
available supply allows in the coming weeks.
The latest batch of national invites follows a significant boost
to bookings last week, with a major push by text message and
letter prompting slots booked almost to double in 48 hours from
340,000 on March 7 to 609,000 on March 9 when texts were sent.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS England's primary care director,
said: “The number of vaccines available to the NHS will continue
to go up and down week by week and month by month in line with
manufacturers’ ability to supply us. But this week and next we
have larger supplies, so we want anyone in the top priority
groups – people aged 50 and older as well as those working in
health and care and anyone with an underlying health condition –
to come forward soon to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
“The success of the NHS vaccination roll-out is testament to the
work of NHS staff, and as new groups of people are invited to
come forward it’s exciting that we are now inviting people aged
50 and over to get their jab.
“
The vaccines are both safe and effective, so if anybody who is
eligible hasn’t been vaccinated yet, I’d urge them to go online
or call 119 and get themselves booked in.
The NHS has been offering the vaccine to the most at risk people
as soon as doses have been made available, in line with guidance
form the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
More than 10 million jabs – first and second doses – have been
arranged through the NHS National Booking Service.
Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’, including
a web link to click and reserve an appointment at one of more
than 300 large-scale vaccination centres or pharmacies across
England. Text invites will also be received from local booking
services through a GP-led team.
Texts will arrive in advance of the standard letter, meaning this
could enable the NHS to react faster to changing vaccine supplies
and fill appointments quickly.
Health Secretary said: “The UK’s vaccination rollout is a national
success story. It’s a tribute to everyone involved and shows what
our country can achieve when we work together.
“From the Vaccines Taskforce to the NHS, our armed forces and the
people coming forward in their millions to get the jab – this has
been a massive national effort.
“I’m delighted we are now expanding the rollout and inviting
those aged 50-54 to book appointments.
“I’m determined that no one should miss out on the chance to
protect themselves and the people they love or care for, and I
urge everyone who’s eligible for the vaccine to come forward.”
Vaccinations are now being administered at more than 1,600 sites
across the country, including mosques, museums and rugby grounds,
with the distribution of centres meaning 98% of the country lives
within 10 miles of at least one vaccination service.
Appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and
people are being asked not to turn up early to avoid creating
queues.
Everyone will receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination
assessment before they have their jab.
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.
The NHS was also the first health system to deliver the new
Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine when Brian Pinker, 82,
received his on 4 January.
