THE NHS in Bradford District and Craven is urging anyone eligible for a Covid vaccination to book an appointment without delay.

Calls to get jabbed come alongside new figures showing almost 300,000 people in the district and more than 31 million people across England have now received a first dose of the vaccine.

NHS staff are continuing to vaccinate people within the guidance set out by the JCVI on priority groups and anyone aged 34 or over can now book their jab through the national booking system.

In total, 292,524 in the district have received their first dose of protection 164,199 have already been fully vaccinated.

The NHS, local authorities and voluntary and community organisations are continuing to work round the clock to make it as easy as possible for people to get their vaccinations and providing a range of clinics in local communities.

Dr James Thomas, GP and clinical chair of NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Vaccines are safe, effective and it’s never too late to get your jab so if you’re eligible do not delay booking in for your appointment.

“Getting vaccinated is the most important step we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities against COVID-19, so when it is your turn to get your first or second dose please do so.

“Following updated advice from the government and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), people aged 50 and over and the clinically vulnerable are having their second doses brought forward to counter the spread of the latest variant (known as the Indian variant) so the NHS will let you know if you need to rebook.”

Last week, the Government and the JCVI announced that second dose appointments will be brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks for those aged 50 and over who have yet to receive theirs. People who should have their second dose brought forward do not need to contact the NHS. The NHS will let them know when they can rebook.

When invited, people will be able to book at one of the local NBS vaccination centres, including: • Jacob’s Well (car park), Bradford, Airedale Hospital and Bradford College (old building) • Rimmington’s pharmacy, Bradford and Ingleton community pharmacy, Settle • Long Lee Surgery, Keighley and Gateway House, Skipton Appointments for the above sites are available through the national booking service (NBS), which is available online at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119 for free. People aged 39 and under who are eligible and pregnant women will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in line with recently updated JCVI guidance.

Most GPs in the district are also continuing to work together to provide vaccinations at local centres and other community sites and are busy contacting eligible patients to book appointments.