Lucy Allan MP has welcomed the speed and ambition of the vaccine programme in Telford, with the NHS on target to exceed its target of vaccinating the first four vaccination categories across England by 15th February. Take-up in Telford has been very high, with the combination of GPs, home visits and vaccination centres enabling residents to access a vaccine easily and conveniently.
As the programme begins to offer vaccination slots to those in categories 5-8, local MP Lucy Allan has encouraged everyone to take their appointment slot as soon as they are contacted.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that the categories for the COVID-19 vaccination programme will ensure the prevention of mortality and the maintenance of the health and social care systems. As the risk of mortality from COVID-19 increases with age, prioritisation is primarily based on age, although underlying health conditions are taken into account.
The categories are:
- residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
- all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
- all those 75 years of age and over
- all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
- all those 65 years of age and over
- all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
- all those 60 years of age and over
- all those 55 years of age and over
- all those 50 years of age and over
In Telford, letters inviting over 65s (category 5) for vaccinations have been posted out already. If you are over 65 and have not yet received your letter, you can book online or call 119 to get an appointment slot.
Lucy Allan MP said:
“The vaccine rollout has been a real national success, and we can all be proud of the speed at which the first four categories have been vaccinated, ensuring that lives have been saved from the very first day. The programme is now beginning to expand to the next four JCVI categories and is projected to exceed its target of ensuring everyone in the first four categories is offered a vaccine by 15th February.”
“I would encourage all Telford residents to book and attend their appointments as soon as offered. The take-up has been very high, which is great news, ensuring we will have a high level of protection in our community. I would like to thank everyone who has made this possible. All over 65s in Telford can now book online or call 119 to arrange an appointment if they have not yet received their letter.”
