More than 12 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have now been administered in the UK, with the chairman of the UK Vaccines Taskforce has said he is “very optimistic” of meeting the target to jab all over-50s by May.
Downing Street confirmed on that the vaccine programme is intended to reach all those aged 50 and over, as well as adults aged 16-65 in an at-risk group, by May – having previously said it aimed to do so “by the spring”.
So how can you find out where and when to get the vaccine?
When will people be told they can have the vaccine?
Certain groups are being prioritised for the vaccine – these follow the list set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Prioritised groups have been called upon to take the vaccine either from their GP or hospital via a letter from the NHS or their local health board. Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock urged those who are called forward for vaccination by the NHS “to respond quickly, to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community”.
However, the government has now said people over the age of 70 who have not been offered a Covid vaccine should contact the NHS to arrange a jab. It marks a shift from the original instruction that people should wait to be contacted by the NHS rather than chasing an appointment themselves.
According to official figures, 12,294,006 people have received their first dose. Matt Hancock said on Feb 8 the government was “on track” to meet the mid-February target. He added: “I now urge everyone aged 70 and over who hasn’t yet had a vaccination to come forward and contact the NHS to book in their jab.
“And if you have grandparents, relatives and friends over 70, please encourage them to book an appointment as soon as possible, so they can be protected against this awful virus.” The NHS said people should book appointments using the website www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.
Those unable to get online have been told to call 119.
How many vaccines do you need?
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is given in two doses, three weeks apart.
People receiving the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine will also need two doses. However, people don’t need to receive both doses before protection against the virus begins. Matt Hancock said the decision by regulators that the second dose of the Oxford vaccine can be administered up to 12 weeks after the first would speed up its rollout.
However, unlike the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the Oxford vaccine can be stored at fridge temperature for at least six months, so distributing and administering is expected to be easier.
Who will be administering the vaccines?
Trained healthcare professionals will be administering the vaccines in hospitals and GP surgeries.
A NHS spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost UK that anyone who will be giving out the vaccine will be put through proper training to be able to safely deliver it.
Who will be prioritised for the vaccine?
- Older adult residents in a care home and care home workers
- All those 80 years of age and over. Front line health and social care workers
- All those 75 years of age and over
- All those 70 years of age and over
- All those 65 years of age and over
- All Individuals aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions.
- All those 60 years of age and over
- All those 55 years of age and over
- All those 50 years of age and over
- The rest of the population (priority to be determined)
Downing Street has also set itself a target of vaccinating all over-50s by May.
What are the underlying health conditions that will mean those aged 16 to 64 will be prioritised?
- Chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and severe asthma
- Chronic heart disease (and vascular disease)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic neurological disease including epilepsy
- Down’s syndrome
- Severe and profound learning disability
- Diabetes
- Solid organ, bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients
- People with specific cancers
- Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
- Asplenia and splenic dysfunction
- Morbid obesity
- Severe mental illness
What about pregnant women?
Preliminary advice suggested the Pfizer vaccine was not recommended for women who were pregnant or breastfeeding – but this advice has now been revised by experts. Both the Oxford and Pfizer coronavirus vaccines can be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women, subject to a discussion with a doctor of their individual medical condition and history.
At a Downing Street briefing on December 30, Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA, Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the JCVI, and Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chair of the Commission on Human Medicine expert working group, confirmed that pregnant and breastfeeding women could receive either vaccine, subject to medical advice and a weighing up of risk with their GP.
This update has been welcomed by many women, as the previous advice would have made them ineligible for the vaccine for anything from nine months of pregnancy to several years of breastfeeding their child.
Now two vaccines are available, will people have a say over which vaccine they would like?
It’s very unlikely people will be able to decide which vaccine they have – there are several types of flu vaccine, for example, and people are given the most appropriate vaccine relevant to their age and health. This will most likely be the case with the new Covid-19 vaccines, too. However all vaccines will be put through rigorous testing before being approved for public use.