Those in priority Group 5, the 65-69 year olds, should receive a letter from NHS England this week asking them to book a Covid vaccine appointment online at a large-scale vaccination centre or pharmacy. They will not be contacted by their local GP. However, anyone in this group who will find it particularly difficult to travel can call their surgery for help.
While the letter explains how to book if you are in Group 5(aged 65-69) you don’t have to wait for the letter. You can log on to the national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination and book, not only your first appointment, but also the second one too. Those who are unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, any time between 7am and 11pm.
East Kennet PCN is following NHS England guidance for GP surgeries and is focusing on Priority Group 6, (those aged 16-64 years with underlying health conditions, unpaid carers and young adults in a residential setting). Members of this group may find it harder to travel and are best vaccinated by their local surgery.
Dave Roberts, Head of Communications, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust told marlborough.news, “At the moment the 65-69 will go through the national system who will send letters – while the GPs focus on the clinically extremely vulnerable – the reason being that the GPs have the records of who the clinically vulnerable are and they are therefore best placed to manage this group.”
In line with the national picture, the East Kennet Primary Care Network have met the government target of offering vaccinations to all over 70s and the extremely clinically vulnerable.
Suzy Deering, Communications Officer at Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership(KAMP) told Marlborough.news,“Over 95% of over 70 year olds registered with KAMP have been vaccinated- a fantastic achievement due to using a mix of venues and dates and a determined effort to repeatedly contact people in the eligible groups to invite them for their vaccine. In addition, KAMP have vaccinated care home residents and staff, front-line health and social workers and the extremely clinically vulnerable.
East Kennet PCN held a trial vaccination clinic at Marlborough Leisure Centre on Saturday 13th February, mostly manned by KAMP staff. The clinic ran very smoothly- a total of 6 vaccinators together with administrators and volunteer marshals gave up their Saturday to vaccinate the final group of over 70s. Thanks also go to the staff of Marlborough Leisure Centre and also to our patients for being so co-operative and good humoured! Early feedback from staff and patients on the leisure centre as a vaccine centre is very favourable, it seems likely that the centre will be used again.”