CONCERNS have been raised by a West Berkshire woman that her elderly father-in-law has been "forgotten about" after not receiving his vaccination despite being in the 80 plus age category.
As of the end of January 31, 236,499 people in the UK had received their first jab, out of 260,060 who were eligible for the vaccine - a total of 90.9 per cent.
Vaccinations sites across the country book patients into appointments according to which cohort they are in.
The top four cohorts include:
1. Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
2. All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
3. All those 75 years of age and over
4. All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
Vaccine
Although most people above the age of 80 have now received at least one vaccination, a woman in Theale was left worrying about her father-in-law.
She said: "He has never received a letter but did get an answer phone message about a month ago from Pangbourne, which is where they are doing the jabs for Theale Medical Centre, saying they had missed him by phone but would call back to arrange an appointment.
"This has never happened and my mother-in-law contacted Theale Medical Centre only to be told they don't deal with the vaccinations and he would have to wait for Pangbourne to call again.
"This has never happened and in desperation I had emailed Theale Medical Centre and my mother-in-law also hand posted a note to them and still we get no help.
"I feel like he has been forgotten or mistakenly ticked off as already done."
But a spokeswoman from Theale Medical Centre said that not all in the higher cohorts have been vaccinated yet.
She said: "I can advise that 97 per cent of our over 80 year old patients have been vaccinated or have declined a vaccination at this time.
"Those patients who have not declined continue to be contacted via telephone and will be contacted via letter if contact can not be made over the phone."
Theale Medical Centre
Government data up to February 8 shows that of the 13,162,878 jabs given in the UK so far, 12,646,486 were first doses - a rise of 352,480 on the previous day.
Some 516,392 were second doses, an increase of 3,811 on figures released the previous day.
The seven-day rolling average of first doses given in the UK is now 428,434.
Based on the latest figures, an average of 392,252 first doses of vaccine would be needed each day to meet the Government's target of 15 million first doses by February 15.
In a change of vaccination rules, people aged 70 and over who have not yet been vaccinated are now being asked to contact the NHS to arrange a jab.
READ MORE: Which areas in Reading have recorded the most Covid-19 deaths?
Until now, the NHS has asked people to wait until they are contacted to help ensure that those who are most vulnerable are protected first - and that remains the case for most people.
However, to ensure absolutely everyone is offered the vaccine, people aged 70 and over can now contact the NHS so they can be vaccinated by the middle of this month.
The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.
The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them.
Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.
If a suitable and convenient slot is not available people can also call their GP practice.
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