People aged 45 and over are now eligible to receive their Covid vaccination. Across the country, we are moving to the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme after reaching the target to offer all those in phase 1 of the vaccination programme a vaccination. Everybody in cohorts 1 to 9 – those aged 50 and over, the clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers – has been offered a vaccine, meeting the government’s 15 April target. This group accounts for 99% of all COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic, so by offering them the vaccine, we are helping ensure the most vulnerable are protected from the virus. The significant milestone marks the beginning of phase 2 of the vaccination programme and people aged 45 to 49 across England can now book appointments through the NHS booking service. People in this age group can also wait to be contacted by their GP led vaccination service. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published its final advice on phase 2 and in line with this, eligible people will be invited to receive their vaccines in order of age over the coming weeks and months. If anyone in the first nine priority cohorts is yet to have their first vaccination we encourage them to arrange their appointment immediately through the NHS booking service, by calling 119, or speaking to their surgery |