Group 5 – Over 65s
Over 65s started receiving invitation letters last Friday (12.2.21). There is a slight change to the process from before, in that those in Group 5 are invited to book via the National Booking Service (NBS) for an appointment at a mass vaccination centre or community pharmacy-led site, either online via https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by telephone by calling 119, and they do not have to wait for the letter to book.
Importantly, this Group will not be contacted by the local GP-led services. However someone can have an appointment via the local GP-led services if they cannot or prefer not to attend a mass vaccination centre or pharmacy. We will publish the details about how those individuals can book their appointment at the GP led centres as soon as it is confirmed.
Group 6 – “At Risk” and Informal Carers
- Group 6 are not currently able to book via the National Booking System or 119 system; they must wait for the invitation from their GP-led service.
- People ‘at risk’ are being contacted by their local GP-led service with an appointment or an invitation to book an appointment. There are lots of people in this group (around 7million), so not everyone will hear immediately.
If you are unsure as to whether you fall into Group 6 you can refer to the list on the government website here for guidance.
However, it is the GP who determines whether you are in this Group, and if you have an issue about this, you should contact the GP practice.
Generally (though not exclusively), people who are called each year by their GP for their free flu jab would fall into this group.
Informal/Unpaid Carers
Eligible adult carers will be contacted via the National Booking System (NBS) to receive an invitation to book vaccination through Mass Vaccination Centres, Community Pharmacy, Local Vaccination Services (LVS) or Hospital Hubs, once a list compiled by NHSE/I in conjunction with Local Authorities has been produced.
Local systems may choose to flex these arrangements based on the needs of their populations and GP-led services should be prepared to administer vaccinations to eligible adult carers who choose to receive vaccination in LVS settings and are coded as such on the GP system.
The difficulties in identifying people in this group is recognised. So eligible unpaid carers should contact their local authority to make themselves known so they can be prioritised for vaccination through the National Booking Service.
Primary Care Network (PCN) Local Vaccination Services (LVS) will also prioritise invitations to carers aged 16 and 17 flagged within their systems to align with their known allocations of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the only currently authorised vaccine under Regulation 174 which can be used for individuals aged 16 and 17.
PCN LVSs should coordinate the offer of vaccination to carers flagged in their systems so that the carer and the at-risk individual they care for can be vaccinated at the same time if both individuals are registered within a practice in that PCN.
When administering vaccinations to at risk individuals who are housebound, the PCN LVS will, where it is clinically appropriate to do so, vaccinate both the at-risk individual and their main carer (if present) at the same time.
If you have any queries please contact Andy Miller:
Tel: 01892 852389
Mobile 07817 130653
Email: andy.vaccinationchampion@gmail.com
