People who are now eligible for their COVID-19 vaccine are being asked to be patient, with GP surgeries in the Vale of York receiving high volumes of calls from members of the public eager to have their jabs.

GPs are reassuring people that no one will be forgotten or missed, and that work is ongoing to invite all eligible members of current vaccination groups – so some people due a jab have not yet been contacted.

This week patients within Cohort 6 and 7 are now being invited for the COVID-19 vaccine. This group includes those aged over 60, those who are clinically vulnerable aged between 16 and 64 and those in receipt of carers allowance or are the main carer of an elderly/disabled whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.

Now, while moving down the age groups, local GP-led vaccination services are focusing initially on the clinically vulnerable in their area, including those with long-term conditions.

This means some younger people with underlying health conditions may be offered a local appointment before some in the 60-69 age group – this does not mean anyone has been missed, and everyone will hear directly from the NHS when it’s their turn.

Dr Abbie Brooks, a GP at Priory Medical Group in York, who has issued a video update on local vaccinations, said: “We are working extremely hard to make sure that we reach those people most at risk within each cohort.

“Currently we are receiving a high volume of calls to primary care from patients wanting the COVID-19 vaccine, and I we would like to reassure patients that if you have a condition in the identified clinical risk groups we will contact you when the time is right and you won’t be forgotten or missed.

“There is a large number of patients within Cohort 6 and we are working through them as quickly and safely as possible. If you receive a text invite please keep checking the link until an appointment is available and if the link expires, do not be concerned – you will be sent a further text in due course.

“Not all invites have been sent so please be patient.”

Dr Nigel Wells, NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Clinical Chair, said: “The NHS in in our area is working incredibly hard to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination. I would like to thank everyone working to support the programme – from volunteers to vaccinators and many others – as well as the wider public for their continued support and understanding.

“This immense local effort across the York and North Yorkshire health and care system has led to the rapid rollout of the programme across our communities.”

There are several ways in which patients can keep up to date with the latest vaccine information from their GP practice including checking their surgery’s website and social media pages.

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