Nottinghamshire health chiefs urge over 80s to take up Covid jab and vaccines for over 70s could to start next week

Dr Andy Haynes, Nottinghamshire’s integrated care system management was “encouraged” by the vaccine take-up. He said there was still ‘immense pressure’ on health and care services by infections and it was “critical” to mobilise the over 80s to be vaccinated.

Speaking at a Covid briefing, Dr Haynes said appointment letters were in the post, estimated to arrive on Tuesday.

"After the 80s, we hope to move to the over 70s cohorts, hopefully from the end of next week, starting at the upper age over 78 and down.”

There was a ‘push’ for care homes, with roving teams targeting them after 40 outbreaks across the county. Vaccinations were also aimed at health and social care frontline key workers.

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Some 2.6m doses were given in the UK, the highest in Europe, and in the Midlands, the over 80s take-up was at 37 per cent.

Dr Haynes said: “We’ve enough vaccine for all the over 80s by the end of January, the message to families, faith and community leaders is to encourage elderly relatives to take up the vaccine invitation. We ask people be patient, wait for the letters.”

Currently there are twice the number in hospitals with Covid than in April, figures similar to London.

Jonathan Gribbin the county’s director for public health, said: “We’re taking encouragement from the way the vaccine programme has been picked up it’s a beam of light in what is still a difficult month.

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“All districts and boroughs have high infection rates, not as high as the England average. Although rates have plateaued, not rising as sharply as a week ago, a note of encouragement, there’s still more to do. We are still seeing severe pressure on health and social care.

"We must all still stay at home, only go out for essentials, wear face coverings and wash hands. As we go into the weekend don’t give yourself private exemption from the rules, don’t be a link in the virus chain.”

Dr Haynes added “our health and social care staff are phenomenal, we can’t thank them enough and volunteers. We all need to keep going so we can look to a better summer and autumn.”

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