Northamptonshire nearly at 200,000 Covid jabs as the great vaccination roll-out steams on

Covid vaccination teams are steaming on with another 25,000 jabs delivered in a week taking the total close to 200,000.

And now the plea has gone out for those aged 65 to 69 to book their jabs as the roll-out continues.

Latest Government figures showed 182,825 people out of the 580,000 eligible across the county had a first dose of the life-saving vaccine up to last Sunday (February 21).

And another 16,000 have received the second dose, due up to 12 weeks after the first.

Invitation for jabs have already gone out to most of the over-65 bracket and some aged 64 plus those in the next priority group, those aged 16 to 65 considered "at-risk".

Chris Pallot, Director of Northamptonshire’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “NHS staff, volunteers and other partners across our county have done an incredible job so far delivering the largest vaccination drive in our history, at the same time as dealing with high levels of Covid-19 hospital patients.

“To anyone aged 65 and above who has been invited but not come forward yet, I would urge you to do so this week.

"Vaccines are the best weapon we have in the fight against coronavirus, and local services are going to great lengths to ensure that local people can get this protection in a safe and convenient place.

“And to the wider public, NHS staff need you to continue to play your part too.

"That means unless you are in the groups being invited now, please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine – we will contact you when it is the right time.

"When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to; 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.”

Anyone aged 65 or over can get an appointment at the Moulton Park vaccination centre by booking online at nhs.uk/covidvaccination or by calling the national booking line on 119.