We have now given over half a million
first doses of vaccines.This is an amazing achievement by the thousands of staff on the frontline in the vaccine services and the many more making it happen from the background.
A huge thank you to everyone involved.
Who is currently being vaccinated where?
As the vaccination programme moves though the priority groups the list of who is eligible will continue to expand. Below is a summary of the position today.
Information on who is eligible is on the NHS.uk website and will be updated when there are changes to who can be vaccinated.
Large vaccination centres
|
GP led vaccination servicesLocal services will contact people and invite them directly when clinics are available. |
|
People aged 64 or over. (People aged 60+ are expected to be receiving letters from the national booking service in the next few days). |
People aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk from coronavirus. Full list of conditions from page 10 of this government guidance. |
|
Previously received a letter saying you are at high risk from coronavirus (Clinically Extremely Vulnerable)and were asked to shield. |
Carers not eligible for carer’s allowance but who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill. You will need to be registered as a carer with your GP practice before you will be invited. |
|
People who have been added to the extremely vulnerable list and asked to shield. |
|
|
Carers eligible for carer’s allowance. |
|
|
Eligible frontline healthcare workers. |
|
|
Eligible frontline social care workers. |
|
| Our map of local services is available on our main vaccine services page | |
If anyone from the earlier priority groups (those aged 70 and above) and has missed an invitation for the first dose of the vaccine they can use the national booking service or contact their GP surgery.
More people added to the shielding list
New research commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer has recently enabled the NHS to identify more people who may be at increased risk of becoming seriously unwell from Covid-19. This is because of a combination of their individual characteristics and their underlying health conditions.
Letters have been sent (from 17 February) to everyone added to this group to advise them about shielding. If you or someone you know received one of these letters, you can also now use the national booking service to get vaccinated at one of the large vaccination centres or pharmacy run services, book online or call 119.
Thanet large vaccination centre open
The fourth large vaccination centre for Kent and Medway opened in Ramsgate on Monday this week. Bookings for this and the other large centres are through the national booking service, book online or call 119.
Medway Hospital offering public vaccinations
Medway Maritime Hospital is now providing Covid-19 vaccinations to those who are eligible under the government's vaccination programme.
If you have been sent a vaccination invitation letter, or are eligible under the current vaccination criteria, you can now book an appointment at Medway Maritime Hospital for your vaccine. The hospital vaccination site will be open for pre-booked appointments to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting on Friday 26 February. Bookings are through the national booking service, book online or call 119.
Real-world studies show high protection from first dose of Pfizer
Public Health England has published data from a real-world study of people vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. It shows high protection against being infected and significant reduction in the risk of hospitalisation or dying from coronavirus.
Welcoming the results Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE, reminded everyone who has been vaccinated about the need to keep following lockdown and social distancing guidance:
“Protection is not complete, and we don’t yet know how much these vaccines will reduce the risk of you passing Covid-19 onto others. So even if you have been vaccinated, it is really important that you continue to act like you have the virus, practice good hand hygiene and stay at home.”