The national Covid-19 vaccination programme will be moving to the next stage as those aged over 70 and those listed as clinically extremely vulnerable will be the next cohort to be invited to book their vaccination.

In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire over 80s will continue to be prioritised with the final group receiving their invitation by Tuesday (January 19).

Anyone over 80 who has not yet received their letter can book online using https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/nottinghamc19vpatient.php or by calling 0115 883 4640.

The NHS has encouraged over 80s to use the online booking line if they are able to so that the phone number is available for those who are not able to use the online booking link. The NHS is proactively calling over 80s who have received their letter and not yet booked an appointment.

Locally, letters will begin to be sent out this week to the over 75s followed by the over 70s early next week. Health bosses are continuing to ask the public to wait for their letter before contacting the NHS to book an appointment.

A Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS spokesperson said: “We would like to say thank you to those who have waited patiently for their letter before making an appointment, this has meant we have been able to prioritise the most vulnerable. Now as the programme enters the next phase, it is important that relatives, friends and carers encourage and assist over 80s in booking their appointment. All the information to book appointments is available in the letter but it is important we help those in our community to take up the offer.

“We know that the booking phone number is very busy at the moment and it may be frustrating. If you can use the web link rather than the number please do so to free up the phone line for those who need it most. We are recruiting more people to increase the capacity of our booking teams.

“In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire we continue to ask the public to wait for their letter before contacting the NHS to book an appointment to support us getting the vaccine to the most vulnerable.

“It is a huge challenge and our teams are working exceptionally hard to coordinate and administer the vaccine to those in our communities as quickly as possible. We would like to reassure the public that as long as we continue to receive supply of the vaccine, we are on track to deliver the vaccines to the top four cohorts in line with the Prime Minister’s deadline of mid-February.”

Two types of letters are being sent out to those who are eligible. The national NHS letter will direct patients to large Vaccination Centres. Our nearest Vaccination Centres are in Birmingham and Boston, Lincolnshire so few residents of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will receive a national invite letter at this stage.

The local letter will direct patients to Local Vaccination Services. In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire we now have six Local Vaccination Services offering vaccinations to the public alongside three Hospital Hubs. 

For more information on the vaccine roll out visit https://nottm-ccg-archive.ginger-root.co.uk/covid-19/