East Cambridgeshire GPs urge eligible patients to get COVID-19 vaccines

Posted on:

GPs in East Cambridgeshire are encouraging eligible patients with certain medical conditions to come forward and book their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Anyone aged 45 or over is now eligible to have their vaccine, but GPs in East Cambridgeshire are urging people with cancer, severe mental illness (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), dementia or learning disabilities in particular to come forward to book their appointment, if they haven’t already.

Dr Anthony Gunstone, a GP at Staploe Medical Centre in Soham, said: “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and gives you the best possible protection against coronavirus. So if you’re eligible, make today the day you book yourself in for your life-saving jab.”

Local residents can call their usual GP practice to book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccination and anyone in the following groups is now eligible:

  • People at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable) and their household.
  • Anyone with other conditions that put them at higher risk such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease
  • Carers
  • Anyone with a learning disability
  • People who live and work in care homes
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • Anyone aged over 45.

To find out more about who is eligible to have their vaccine now, visit the NHS.uk website.

GP practices in Ely and the surrounding areas were the first to start vaccinating patients at GP surgeries when they started in December 2020. They have since administered 44,000 vaccines to local people and want to ensure that everyone who is eligible comes forward to take up the offer.