A number of leading health charities have joined with the government and NHS in encouraging all people with long-term health conditions and their carers to get the coronavirus vaccine.  

The charity coalition, which includes the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK, aims to encourage people in Cohort 6 to protect themselves from the coronavirus by taking up their vaccine offer once they receive it. People in this cohort have been receiving invitations since 15 February to come forward for the vaccination.  

Cohort 6 covers people aged 16 to 64 with certain conditions identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as being at higher clinical risk from coronavirus. This includes people with heart and circulatory diseases and those with diabetes. Carers who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole of primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of complications from Covid-19, also fall under Cohort 6.

As the campaign was launched, Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary, praised the NHS, health and care professionals, local partners and volunteers for the ‘incredible success’ of the UK’s vaccination programme.  

He said: “The pace of the roll out to date shows what we can achieve when we pull together as one UK, and having the support of the charities who work every day to support the very people we are reaching out to in cohort 6 is a shot in the arm for the campaign. Their help, encouragement and links with communities next in line for the jab will help make sure everyone can get access to the life saving protection the vaccine provides, and help protect those with underlying conditions and their carers.”