People aged 50 and over urged to get their vaccine now

Anyone who is an eligible group – meaning you are aged 50 or over, have a health condition that puts you at greater risk, or are a health or social care worker – who has not been vaccinated is now being urged to book their slot online via the national booking service. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

Appointments for first doses are still available for the rest of March but they are filling up fast.

Jane Scattergood, COVID-19 Vaccination Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said:

“Almost 700,000 people in Lancashire and South Cumbria have already been vaccinated and are benefiting from protection from the virus. NHS staff and partners in the are working really hard to vaccinate as many people as possible at the same time as providing care for everyone who needs it.

It is important that if you already have an appointment booked for a first or second dose that you do attend. The first dose of both vaccines offer good levels of protection, but to get maximum protection everyone needs to get a second dose, so we are urging people to come back when they are contacted or if they have an appointment booked.”

Unless you are in the eligible groups being invited now, please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you when it is the right time. Please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, and make sure you come back for your second dose and whether you have had your vaccine or not, please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives.”

For more information about the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria, visit: www.healthierlsc.co.uk/CovidVaccination