Doctors are asking people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who have received a letter from the national booking service not to contact their GP surgery about a Covid vaccination.

The request comes after practices are said to have been "inundated" with calls from people invited by the national booking service.

Dr Rob White, a GP, clinical lead for the primary care network vaccination service and NHS Kernow Governing Body member, said: “Anyone who is in the groups currently prioritised in the guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and has received a letter from the national booking service should go online at nhs.uk or call 119 free, from 7am, seven days a week, to book their appointment.

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“Please do not contact your GP practice about your vaccination. Myself and fellow doctors have received a significant number of calls regarding booking a Covid appointment which stops people who need medical help getting through to the practice.

“It also has an impact on the vaccination programme by making it harder to book appointments for people in the priority groups.”

The GP-led primary care networks are currently vaccinating people aged 65 and over, or those aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions including those who are listed on the GP Learning Disability Register.

Practices in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, in line with national guidance, are currently not inviting people who are under 65 years old without an underlying health issues for vaccination, and anyone in the latest priority age range of 60 to 63 should booked into one of the vaccination centres via the details above.

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Almost two million extra people are being invited to book a Covid jab this week, with letters arriving from today (Monday).

Dr White added: “People across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been hugely supportive of the vaccination programme but we ask for their continued support by waiting their turn. When it is your time the NHS will contact you.”

For further information about the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Covid vaccination roll-out visit NHS Kernow’s dedicated Covid page.