Can I book my coronavirus vaccine online without an invite?

People are being offered the Coronavirus vaccine in a set order, based on how likely it is that they will become seriously ill if they catch Covid-19.

The order is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

• The next priority groups to receive the vaccine have been revealed, based on age

People are now frequently logging on to the vaccine booking site to book appointments online, before they've received an official invite.

When booking, patients are prompted to only continue if they're in the priority groups currently being asked to come forward for a vaccine.

On the NHS website it says "You do not need to wait to be contacted by the NHS" if you fall into one of the groups currently eligible for the vaccine.

• How is the vaccine programme going in the Midlands?

• What should I do if I missed my slot for the Coronavirus vaccine?

Vaccine priority groups:

Phase One

1. Residents in care homes for older adults and their carers

2. 80-year-olds and over and frontline health and social care workers

3. 75-year-olds and over

4. 70-year-olds and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals

5. 65-year-olds and over

6. 16- to 64-year-olds with serious underlying health conditions

7. 60-year-olds and over

8. 55-year-olds and over

9. 50-year-olds and over

--------------

Phase Two

1. 40-year-olds and over

2. 30-year-olds and over

3. 18-year-olds and over

• Police and teachers angered by age-based roll out

When only people over 70 should have been using the service, it emerged that some people in Nottinghamshire were using the service to jump the queue. 

On the SwiftQueue Nottingham website the following warning is given:

"Please Note: The Vaccine is being rolled out in a controlled way and these links are INVITE ONLY and have been issued by the NHS Trust.

Anyone booking an appointment who is not eligible and does not comply with the current NHS Eligibility requirements will not be seen. Proof of Eligibility will be required in order for the Vaccine to be administered."

Health bosses say they will not tolerate people putting those who're more vulnerable at greater risk by receiving the vaccine before them.

The NHS will be delivering the vaccine in 3 main ways:  

• hospital hubs - NHS providers vaccinating on site 

• local vaccine services – community or primary care led services in all sorts of settings

• vaccination centres – large sites such as sports and conference venues set up for high volumes of people 

• Where, when and how will I get the vaccine in the Midlands?

Once you have had the vaccine you must continue to follow all social distancing measures and follow the measures outlined in the government roadmap.

Read more

• Debunked in two minutes - vaccine myths

• Vaccines - the facts and fiction

• The latest Covid vaccination scams used by fraudster

• Covid: one year on - how the pandemic stole our normal

• All your Coronavirus questions answered

• Coronavirus: What You Need To Know - the ITV News podcast with information, advice and analysis on the pandemic

• What are the Covid-19 infection rates across the Midlands?

• How many patients are in hospital with Covid-19 in the Midlands?

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