People aged 50 and over are now being invited to book a Covid-19 vaccination jab if they haven't already been offered one.

The NHS national booking system is now allowing those who are 50 or older to come forward and book their injection appointment.

According to latest statistics, more 365,000 people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have now had at least one dose. There are around 660,000 people that need vaccinating in the area.

Patients need their NHS number to book and can do so by visiting this website or calling 119.

 

 

The government has vowed to vaccinate every adult in the UK by the end of July but a recent report claimed that all over 18s could have had at least their first jab by June.

Vaccines are being delivered in the following order:

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 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

Next up will be those 40 and over, those 30 and over and then the 18-29-year-olds.

Some areas could see appointments being offered to over 40s in the next week or so given the rate of progress and high take-up.

Text messages are being sent to those registered with a GP practice but eligible patients can also book online.