Millions of people aged 70 and over and those clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus are now being invited to receive their vaccinations.

So far, the NHS has been working to vaccinate the first two priority cohorts recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which are care home residents and staff, and those aged 80 and over and frontline health and care staff. Now, the NHS is beginning roll out of the vaccines to the next two priority groups - those aged 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable people.

This will allow areas that have already vaccinated the majority of care home residents, frontline health and care staff and people aged 80 and over to keep up the momentum and start vaccinating further at-risk people, helping the NHS to reach the Prime Minister’s commitment of offering vaccinations to the first four priority groups by the middle of February.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Now that more than half of all over-80s have had their jab, we can begin vaccinating the next most vulnerable groups. Where an area has already reached the vast majority of groups one to two, they can now start opening up the programme to groups three to four.

“We are working day and night to make sure everyone who is 70 and over, our health and social care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable are offered the vaccine by the middle of February and our NHS heroes are making huge strides in making this happen. This measure does not mean our focus on getting care homes, healthcare staff and those aged 80 and over vaccinated is wavering – it will remain our utmost priority over the coming weeks to reach the rest of these groups.”