'Don't call us' plea as Hartlepool GPs say they are being swamped by patients asking for Covid jab

Medical officials say the volume of calls to doctors practices asking about the vaccines is affecting patents’ ability to get through for urgent health care services.

The message from NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is ‘Don’t call us, we’ll call you’.

Dr Janet Walker, medical director for the CCG, said: “Please do not call you GP practice for information on the Covid-19 vaccine.

“The volume of calls GP practices are receiving is preventing people who may need urgent medical care from getting through.

“All of our primary care teams are working extremely hard to ensure that people receive their jab, but it’s really important that people wait to be invited.

"All invitations for the Covid-19 vaccine are produced centrally and in order of priority group.

“Please be assured that the NHS will contact you directly when it is your turn.”

Related news: Leading scientist says social distancing may need to stay until next spring

NHS England data shows a total of 1,415,252 doses of the vaccines had been administered in North East and Yorkshire between December 8 and February 2.

That comprises 1,340,734 first doses and 74,518 second doses.

The Government is working towards a target of delivering 15 million first doses to the most vulnerable people by February 15, and has currently passed 10.5 million.

It is working through vaccinating the country’s population according to which risk group they come under according to the following priorities.

They are 1. Older people care home residents and staff; 2. People over 80 and frontline health and social care workers; 3. Over 75’s; 4. Over 70’s and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals (not including pregnant women and those under 16); 5. Over 65’s; 6. Adults aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group; 7. Over 60’s; 8. Over 55’s years; 9. Over 50s and 10. The rest of the population.

It was reported last week that supplies of the vaccine were being ‘slowed down’ in the North East to allow other areas of the country to catch up.

Hartlepool’s MP Mike Hill has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock for answers after constituents have reported being told to travel to York and Newcastle to get the vaccine.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.