Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is now being delivered to British people, but, if you are a 'conspiracy theorist' please don't bother reading today's blog, it has nothing to offer you, as I'm providing some details about when we will receive the vaccine. So, for those who want to be protected against the COVID-19 virus, please do read on...
You will be aware that there are 2 vaccines being delivered in Britain, at the moment, initially to those in the highest priority group (1) that the Government has described, presumably advised by scientists and health professionals (SAGE - the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies - Government website). I am listing the 9 priority groups at the bottom of this blog.
Today, I received a text from the surgery I am registered with, which assures me I will be contacted when the group I am in is reached, and asked that I "not contact the practice or other NHS services regarding an appointment for a COVID vaccination." I've heard a medical doctor on the radio with exactly the same message. This is an enormous project to deliver, it takes up valuable resources, and any unnecessary contact only holds up work on trying to deliver the vaccination programme.
The aim of the programme is to vaccinate everyone in group 1 by the end of this month, everyone in groups 2-4 by mid-February, and those in the remaining groups 5-9 "possibly by Easter" (early April - BBC). I suggest this is ambitious, so don't hold your breath. When this part of the programme is finished, the vaccine will start being given to those aged between 16 and 50, as I said, this is an enormous project to undertake!
But please do remember to keep washing your hands regularly, wear a face covering where appropriate, and maintain social distancing of at least 2 metres.
Do be careful, and stay safe folks!
The nine priority groups thought to represent 90-99% of those people who are at risk of dying from COVID-19 are:
- Residents in care homes for older adults and their carers
- 80-year-olds and over and frontline health and social care workers
- 75-year-olds and over
- 70-year-olds and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
- 65-year-olds and over
- 16- to 64-year-olds with serious underlying health conditions
- 60-year-olds and over
- 55-year-olds and over
- 50-year-olds and over
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