Over 70s in England will now be contacted to receive their COVID-19 vaccine

People in England aged 70 and over, as well as those listed as clinically extremely vulnerable, will begin receiving offers of a coronavirus vaccine this week.

There will be no need to contact your GP for your vaccine, as you will be contacted when it is your time to have it either my telephone, email, text or letter. Each vaccine requires 2 doses to be fully effective.

If you've already received your first dose, it's likely your appointment for the second dose will be postponed for another few weeks. This is because the evidence shows that 1 dose of a vaccine gives significant protection in the short term, and the Government has decided to prioritise getting as many people as possible their first dose as quickly as they can. However, everyone will receive 2 doses within 12 weeks and benefit from the maximum protection of the vaccine.

The initial priority groups are set out below, starting with those considered high priority:

1. Older adults that are a resident in a care home and their care workers.
2. Everyone aged 80+ and all health and social care workers.
3. Everyone aged 75+.
4. Everyone aged 70+ and all those considered clinically extremely vulnerable and have been shielding.
5. Everyone aged 65+.
6. Everyone aged 16-64 with an underlying health condition which puts them at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell.
7. Everyone 60+.
8. Everyone 55+.
9. Everyone 50+.

Age is a major risk factor for coronavirus, so the oldest age groups and older people living in care homes are a top priority.