Invitations for Covid jabs being sent to over 50s across Shropshire
Over 50s across Shropshire have started to receive their invitations to get a coronavirus jab.
People aged 50 to 54 will now be able to get their vaccinations in the latest stage of the programme.
Today marks 100 days since the NHS gave Maggie Keenan her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination on December 8.
Healthcare teams continue to urge anyone yet to be vaccinated to take up the offer as around two million additional text messages go out with a link allowing people to pick a convenient slot at an NHS vaccine centre, or pharmacy-led service through the national booking service website.
People who cannot go online can call the service on 119.
The text alerts will be followed up with 2.4 million letters landing on doorsteps later in the week.
The NHS has already delivered vaccinations to more than 20 million people in England as supplies have flowed since early December.
Supply
The latest batch of national invites follows a significant boost to bookings last week, with a major push by text message and letter prompting slots booked almost to double in 48 hours from 340,000 on March 7 to 609,000 on March 9 when texts were sent.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS England's primary care director, said: “The number of vaccines available to the NHS will continue to go up and down week by week and month by month in line with manufacturers’ ability to supply us.
"But this week and next we have larger supplies, so we want anyone in the top priority groups – people aged 50 and older as well as those working in health and care and anyone with an underlying health condition – to come forward soon to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“The success of the NHS vaccination roll-out is testament to the work of NHS staff, and as new groups of people are invited to come forward it’s exciting that we are now inviting people aged 50 and over to get their jab."
The NHS has been offering the vaccine to the most at-risk people as soon as doses have been made available, in line with guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’, including a web link to click and reserve an appointment.
