Covid vaccinations for over 70s in London
Enabling more SE Londoners over the age of 70 to get their first COVID vaccination
On 3 February, NHS England (London region) announced changes to the way in which Londoners over the age of 70 can access their COVID vaccination. The change has been made to ensure anyone over the age of 70 can get their first COVID vaccination as soon as possible.
Any London resident over the age of 70 who has not yet had their first COVID vaccination can now book online – www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination/enter-your-name – or call 119, or they can contact their GP practice directly. An invitation letter is no longer required.
SEL CCG will share messages about this change on its social media platforms – please retweet and share wherever possible. Regionally, NHS England’s London team will be working to ensure this message is cascaded through advertising, media and through engagement with its key stakeholders. We wanted to be sure you were among the first to hear.
‘Aged over 70 and live in London? If you haven’t been invited for your first COVID vaccine you can book at www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination/enter-your-name or phone 119. You no longer need a letter from the NHS, just your date of birth and postcode or NHS number. If there are no appointments please try again another time, or wait for the NHS to contact you.’
GP practices will be sending out text messages to their patients to explain this.
Key messages for patients include the following – so please adjust your communications accordingly:
- Having a vaccine is the best way to protect you from coronavirus and will save thousands of lives.
- If you are over 70 and haven’t yet been invited for your first COVID vaccine, you can now book by visiting www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination/enter-your-name or by calling 119 or contact your GP practice directly. You no longer need a letter.
- The national service allows you to book an appointment at a vaccination centre or community pharmacy but not at a GP practice.
- If going to a GP practice is your preference, please contact your GP directly who can refer you to a local primary care vaccination site.
- We are continuing to follow the official advice and vaccinating those most at risk first.
- There are now more than 200 sites across London providing the lifesaving vaccination, and more are going live all the time.
