Almost 300k people have first covid vaccine in Norfolk & Waveney
It's above the national average
More than a third of people in Norfolk and Waveney receive their first COVID-19 vaccination
Norfolk and Waveney 's COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to make good progress as it was revealed that more than a third of people in the area have received their first dose of vaccine.
Data published yesterday by NHS England and NHS Improvement shows that 34.9% of people aged over 16 have received a first dose of vaccine, ranking Norfolk and Waveney third out of 42 health systems in England. The national average is 28%.
The figures show 297,668 patients received at least one dose of the vaccine by 14 February.
NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (NW CCG) has been working collectively with NHS colleagues and system partners to address concerns raised about availability of appointments at local large vaccination sites. As a result, additional appointments are being made available at local large vaccination sites over the coming days.
People in the 65-69 age range who have received a letter inviting them to book through the national website or to call 119, should continue to check the availability of appointments at local sites as they are updated daily but do also fill quickly.
According to CCG data nearly 60% of all 65-69 year olds in Norfolk and Waveney have already received their first vaccination.
Melanie Craig, Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney CCG, said:
"The COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to make good progress in Norfolk and Waveney. The speed and scale at which things are moving is testament to the fantastic efforts of our hard-working NHS staff, volunteers and local communities who have rallied to support the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history."
She added:
"We know some local people have been disappointed at not being offered a vaccination appointment close to their home and in response to this, working collectively with our NHS colleagues and system partners, additional appointments at local large vaccination sites are being made available over the coming days.
"To further supplement vaccine availability this weekend, the hospital hub at the James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston, will also be directly contacting patients and inviting them for vaccination.
"Please do not contact our hospitals or your local GP practice if you are in the 65-69 year old age category. New appointments are regularly being added to the national booking system and more are expected to be released in the coming days, so please be patient and keep trying if you don't immediately see an appointment in a suitable location for you."
NHS staff have begun vaccinating people aged 65 to 69 and those who are clinically vulnerable against COVID. Letters have been sent to more than a million people nationwide asking them to log on to the national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.
Anyone in a priority group invited to have their vaccine can look for an appointment at a time and location that's convenient to them through the national booking service.
New appointments are regularly added to the system as they become available, and alternatively, people can choose to wait to be contacted by their local GP services.
Please don't worry if you are unable to book online, the NHS will contact you to book your vaccination.
Adults aged 16 to 65 years in an at-risk group (priority group 6) will be invited to have their vaccination at a GP-led vaccination site. This is due to the relationship between general practice and those with long term conditions, and for continuity of care.
The drive to jab these new groups comes after the NHS vaccinated more than 12 million people in the first four priority groups, which included those aged 70 and over, care home residents and staff, the extremely clinically vulnerable, NHS and social care staff, in a matter of weeks.
Once vaccinated people should continue to follow Covid safety rules including social distancing guidance and, if you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it's hard to stay away from other people.
The infection rate continues to fall in Norfolk and Waveney but remains high.