Vaccination programme expands to over-60s in North Yorkshire and York
Nearly 250,000 doses have been given out so far across North Yorkshire and Vale of York.
Last updated 1st Mar 2021
The push to protect people from Covid-19 is moving into the next phase following the successful first stage targeting the top four priority groups – those aged 70 and over, care home workers, residents, front-line health and care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable.
The latest figures show that 247,629 vaccine doses have been given to people across North Yorkshire and the Vale of York.
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.
NHS Vale of York CCG says: "In the coming months, everyone in the country will be offered COVID-19 jabs in the largest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS.
"While everyone will be contacted by their local GP-led vaccination service in due course, the national booking service is currently open to anyone aged over 60, who has previously received a letter saying they are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable), is an eligible front-line health or social care worker or is eligible for Carer's Allowance.
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.
“The vaccines, which have been extensively tested, are given as an injection into your upper arm in two doses, with the second following three to 12 weeks after the first. While the first dose should give you good protection against the effects of COVID-19 in a few weeks, it’s important to remember you could still catch or spread the virus – including the new emerging more infectious variants.”
NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Accountable Officer, Amanda Bloor, said: “We continue to encourage everyone who is invited for a vaccination to take up the offer to protect not only themselves but their families and loved ones.
“It’s also important that people attend for their second dose when the time comes to get the maximum protection offered by the vaccines currently being administered.
“In North Yorkshire and York we are on target to offer vaccinations to everyone in the nine priority groups by the middle of April. This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and commitment of a lot of people, from our GPs, nurses and primary care teams to the vaccinators, car park marshals and numerous other volunteers. I would like to thank everyone who’s playing their part.”