Vaccine: Expert confirms over-45s can book
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The NHS England website is now making way for vaccine bookings for people aged 45 and over, alongside clinically extremely vulnerable people, carers and those with learning disability. Conservative Minister Will Quince tweeted: “Vaccination appointments are now open to everyone aged 45 and over.” The website, however, appeared to crash just moments after the announcement was made, indicating thousands have flocked to try and get themselves immunised as the nation starts opening up again.
The expansion in people eligible to be jabbed comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the UK passing a “significant milestone” in the pandemic after the NHS hit its target of offering all adults
Signalling the beginning of ‘Phase Two’ of the Government’s vaccine programme, the NHS has given the updated age group the green light to book their jabs.
However, following the update, the website crashed on Tuesday morning, with a message telling users: “The NHS website is currently experiencing technical difficulties.”
According to the latest figures, more than 32 million people in the UK have now had a first dose of the vaccine.
At the same time, more than 7.6 million have received both doses of a Covid vaccine since the rollout began in December 2020.
Marking the “milestone” achievement, Mr Johnsons said: “We will now move forward with completing essential second doses and making progress towards our target of offering all adults a vaccine by the end of July.”
Officials also confirmed the Moderna vaccine was being rollout to patients from Tuesday onwards, which NHS medical director Stephen Powis said marked “another milestone”.
Mr Powis said: “We now have a third jab in our armoury and NHS staff will be using it at more than 20 sites from this week, with more coming online as supplies expand.
“England’s vaccination programme is our hope at the end of a year like no other, so please do come forward and get your jab when you’re invited.
“It is safe, quick and effective – and it will protect you and your loved ones.”
About 17 million doses of the Moderna vaccine were secured by the Government’s vaccine Taskforce, with jabs already having been rolled out in Wales and Scotland and deliveries to Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.
However, despite the pace of the rollout, some experts warn people shouldn’t assume the vaccination programme spells a definitive end to the crisis.
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Chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson said the country shouldn’t conclude it’s on a “one way, inexorable, inevitable track to it all being fantastic”.
He explained: “I know I might sound a bit like a prophet of doom the day after we have started enabling people to go back to the pub garden.
“But the reality is there are… really good reasons why we need to be cautious here.
“We need to be really careful about assuming we’re on a one-way, inexorable, inevitable track to it all being fantastic and we can go back to normal, because actually we’ll need a new normal.
“We need everyone to put their own personal pedal to the metal and ensure they follow the rules.”
How to book a Covid vaccine
When it’s your turn to book your first Covid vaccine, you can do so on the NHS England website.
When you book, you’ll be asked for personal information including:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your NHS number
If you don’t know your NHS number, don’t worry, you can still book your vaccine.
Government guidance urges people to try booking through the website first, but if you’re unable to, call 119 free of charge.
If you’re unable to book your own Covid vaccine, it’s fine to let someone else call or use the website in your place.
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