All over-50s can now book coronavirus vaccine, says NHS
Vaccine programme widened as increased supply of vaccine available to NHS
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Your support makes all the difference.Everyone over the age of 50 can now book a coronavirus vaccination as the NHS widens eligibility amid an expected surge in supply of vaccine from this week.
NHS England changed the eligibility on its main vaccination booking website on Wednesday morning, reducing the eligibility from 55 to anyone aged 50 or over.
It means anyone over the age of 50 can go online and book themselves a vaccination, they do not need to wait to be contacted by their GP.
By the end of Wednesday, more than 25 million people in the UK will have had at least one dose of either the Pfizer/BioNtech or Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.
A total of 386,000 people had their first dose on Monday with NHS England expecting a significant increase in vaccinations in the coming weeks that could see rates double.
The government is aiming to give a first dose to all over-50s by the middle of April with all adults vaccinated by the end of July.
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The vaccine supply is being flexed up and down for different regions with some performing better than others. In recent weeks concerns have emerged over the lower uptake among black and minority ethnic communities, including those working for the NHS.
The NHS is making sure those areas that are falling behind are prioritised with extra vaccine to try and drive inoculations – this has seen some younger people well below the existing categories getting vaccinated as GPs and vaccine hubs working through lists faster than expected.
The increase in vaccine supply comes amid growing criticism of decisions by some European countries to suspend use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine over unproven claims that it could be behind rare blood clots among some patients.
But the European Medicines Agency, the World Health Organisation and the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency say there is no basis for the concerns.
The rate of blood clots among vaccinated people is still lower than would normally be expected in the general population while Covid-19 is a known risk for blood clots that can lead to serious complications and death.
Health secretary Matt Hancock urged people not to miss their offer of a jab saying: “The Oxford/AstraZeneca jab is safe, we know that over 10 million people have had it in this country, and that’s what the British regulator says but also the World Health Organisation and even the European regulator.
“We keep the effects of these vaccines under review all the time and we know that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is saving lives in the UK right now so if you get the call, get the jab.”
Overall the UK has secured access to 457 million doses of eight separate Covid vaccinations – more than enough to vaccinate the UK population almost seven times over.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We have set out our timelines for the vaccination programme and there is no change to this.
“We intend to offer a first dose to all over-50s by mid-April and all adults by the end of July.”
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