From this week anyone aged 45 and over can book in for their Covid-19 vaccination as the programme continues to roll out.

In addition, the NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) is continuing to urge all local residents in eligible groups that are yet to have their first dose of the vaccine to book in without delay.

First dose vaccination appointments are available during April at various sites including designated hospitals such as Loughborough Hospital, GP practices and pharmacies across LLR. Appointments can be booked via the national booking website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ , or via invitations from your GP practice.

It is also vitally important that anyone who is scheduled to have their second dose of the vaccine in the coming days and weeks attend their appointments to ensure they receive maximum protection possible from the virus.

Dr Sulaxni Nainani, local GP, said: “Since the vaccination programme was launched in LLR we have vaccinated well over 600,000 people locally which is a huge achievement, but there is still more work to do. There are many more people in cohorts 1-9 that have yet to be vaccinated but we are also encouraging the newly eligible 45 and over residents to come forward and be vaccinated – please don’t delay, now is the time.

“Please be reassured the vaccine is safe to take and it is the best protection we have against Coronavirus. Appointments are still available in LLR over the coming weeks and bookings can be made online at any vaccination site that has availability locally to you.”

The latest hospital vaccination centre to open in LLR is at Loughborough Hospital, which is continuing to administer first doses to patients who meet the eligibility criteria throughout April.

Dr Nainani concludes: “With Covid restrictions being eased further in the coming weeks it’s so important that we do everything we can to help prevent the spread of the virus and protect ourselves and our communities by getting vaccinated when given the opportunity.”

All vaccination clinics in LLR are open to the following eligible groups:

  • Anyone aged 45 or over
  • Anyone at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
  • Anyone who has a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
  • Anyone that has a learning disability
  • Anyone that is a carer.

The order in which people are offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).