The UK vaccination programme has now delivered over 27 million first doses, 6.1 million second jabs and more than 6,000 lives already have been saved.

Take-up of the vaccine has been exceptionally strong; five out of six people in the first nine priority groups have already chosen to take up the offer.

Today, the NHS is now offering first doses to people in the next eligible group. Anyone aged 45 and over or who has a learning disability, is clinically vulnerable, clinically extremely vulnerable (at high risk from coronavirus) or an unpaid carer is being invited to book their appointment on the National Booking System or by calling 119.

Any remaining health and social care workers can continue to access their first dose through their employer, or they can speak to their GP.

In a new milestone, the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine is being rolled out today in England, the third vaccine to be used alongside Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

Next week the Moderna vaccine will be used at the vaccination site at St John’s Shopping Centre in Preston

Jane Scattergood, Covid-19 Vaccination Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: 

“Thanks to the thousands of people involved, and in particular our volunteers, the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria has now vaccinated over 87,000 people which is such a brilliant achievement.

If you’re eligible for the vaccine please do book your appointment as soon as possible so that you can join the millions of others who are helping to protect themselves and others and continue our progress back towards a normal life. NHS staff are still working hard to deliver the largest vaccination drive in history, at the same time as providing care for everyone who needs it. So, please play your part by not contacting the NHS to seek a vaccine if you are not eligible yet, you will be invited when it is your time.

Please do attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, and make sure you come back for your second dose of the life-saving vaccine.”

The vaccines approved for use in the UK have all met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the Independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Vaccines are the best way to protect people from Covid-19 and the benefits out way the risks. So, far millions of people have been given a Covid-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as blood clots have been very rare.

For people under 30 without health conditions, it is currently advised that it is preferable to have another Covid-19 vaccine instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Everybody who has already had a first dose of a vaccine with no side effects should continue to have a second dose of the same brand, irrespective of age.

For more information on the Lancashire and South Cumbria Vaccination Programme visit, www.healthierlsc.co.uk/covidvaccine

To find out more about who is eligible to have a coronavirus vaccination visit, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/who-can-get-the-vaccine/