First coronavirus vaccinations to take place in York and North Yorkshire next week

The Covid vaccination programme is coming to York.

The first coronavirus vaccinations in York and North Yorkshire will happen next week, it has emerged.

North Yorkshire CCG’s Amanda Bloor confirmed the news at a North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum meeting.

She said hospital vaccination hubs will be complemented by services in GP surgeries and community venues – with sites in North Yorkshire and York gearing up soon.

She said: “I do want to share today the great news that we are currently in final planning for seven sites across North Yorkshire and York to start administering the vaccine to people in North Yorkshire and York from next week.”

More details on where the jabs will be available in the coming days.

Priority will be given to those over the age of 80, care home workers and front-line NHS staff.

But Amanda warned the public that they would have to patient.

“This programme will take place over a number of months, not a number of weeks. This is just the beginning of a methodical programme,” she said.

People should wait to be contacted about their vaccination, with ‘the vast majority’ taking place next year.

“Patients will be contacted with a personal invitation to attend for a vaccine and that should happen over the next few days for some patients in North Yorkshire in line with the national prioritisation criteria.

“Please do not contact your local practice or local hospital to ask for an appointment for a vaccination and please do not turn up at your GP’s or hospital.

“I understand there will be anxiety in a number of people who are really anxious to get the vaccine as soon as possible but we are putting in place plans to do that as quickly and as safely as we can.”