Over two thirds of people aged between 65 and 69 have had their first Covid-19 vaccination, NHS England has announced, as the country’s national vaccination drive continues to progress rapidly.
Anyone in this age group who is yet to be vaccinated is now being urged by the health service to respond to recent invites to book an appointment for their jab, with more than 100 vaccination centres and almost 200 pharmacies offering the vaccine around the country.
More than one million invitation letters were set to arrive with people across England in this age group.
NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “The NHS Covid-19 vaccination campaign continues full steam ahead – letters inviting everyone aged 65 to 69 went out a week ago, and already over two thirds of them have had their first Covid-19 vaccination.
“Across England overall nearly a third of adults have now had their first jab, and early signs suggest this is contributing to the welcome fall in coronavirus hospitalisation that we’re now seeing.”
Anyone who is 65 or over can get an appointment in one of the vaccination centres by booking through the national booking service, as the NHS looks to help as many people in this age group as possible to receive their first jab and build up some protection to the virus.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi added: “The NHS is working tirelessly to vaccinate those most at risk as quickly as possible and we are moving through the priority list at rapid pace.
“The vaccination programme continues to expand and we are calling on everybody who is eligible to book their appointments as soon as possible.”
