Why are healthy 70 yr olds getting vaccine before older people in some areas

Good you at least know some one in your area is being given the vaccine. Nothing happening in my area at all apart from front line NHS.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

We are both fit and have no health problems - lucky us - but I understand that over seventies have an immune system that is less than half as effective than younger people, and consequently can become much sicker much faster - and therefore strain the NHS. I thought that was why we were starting with the most vulnerable - to protect the NHS and stop it being overwhelemed with very sick people.

This may be because statistics show that over 95% of deaths due to covid occur in those older than 60 years

Good for u . With your comment She should have more to worry about I just back home after a procedure and not out of the woods yet have to go back at 76 ,the injection far from my mind I can wait as long as it takes ,my other problem on going from last March and to c the nurses and care they gave me today money would not pay them Angels Say a wee prayer for me I am not one to tex or give opinion but that question of WHY is not even relevant The word is Ur turn will come Wait ,???

My mum in law is 95 and lives alone, she has a car but not called yet either

Our immune system becomes less effective as we age so, although someone appears fit, they may develop more severe complications

I still haven’t been called for the flu vaccination from my surgery despite being over 65. So any chance of receiving the Covid vaccination within the next six months is probably fantasy?

Nothing I am aware of in my area. NW London.

This is all beginning to sound like the unfulfilled promises of the Track and Trace system.

I am 83 I should add.

Immunity declines post 50. General fitness is not the same as immunity from infection.

My 98 year old mum was phoned by the GPS and invited for vaccination within days of bit being rolled out.She declined to have it saying she's had enough and doesn't want to be here anymore .So frustrating!After a chat she has agreed she will have it as I explained it's not just about protecting her,but myself and her carers, and who will look after her if she gets it.I have requested she is put back on the list but we're still waiting.In the meantime two other relatives have had theirs as have several of my neighbours.All in early 80s.

my husband is 75 but is on the extremely vulnerable list, he hasnt had a vaccine yet, couple of neighbours over 80 have had theirs

My son is front line NHS and hasn't had the vaccine. However his hospital is delivering the Pzr one and he reports that every day many dont turn up for appts. Rather than going to waste at the end of the day staff frantically go round the hospital offering it to medical staff and others ie in/out patients to ensure none is wasted.

That doesn’t seem right. 70year olds are, I think, the 4th age group to receive the vaccine. There must be some mistake.

Aepgirl - one of the reasons under 80s are getting the Pzr vaccine is it has to be used once open. If 80+ dont turn up for their appts, Hospitals, GPs etc have to find alternatives who can come in immediately.

I haven't read the whole thread, but thought I'd mention this apropos of the op.
My Grandmother is 96 and she is in a care home, she has not heard anything about when she will have the vaccine.

It seems to be a postcode lottery. My local paper reports today that all the people who were vaccinated on 19 December, including care home residents, will receive their second dose on 9 January. Four GP practices are working together to administer them.

Apparently, all new bookings might have to wait up to 12 weeks.

I know one person who has received the vaccination; she is 95 and lives about a hundred miles away. I have not heard of anyone in my area receiving it.

A friend of mine who lives in London rang me to say she was havig the vaccine on Friday at her GP's surgery. She is 76. Where we live and in quite a number of other places in the country many over 80s have still heard nothing.

My mum (83) has this afternoon just had the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, three weeks after she had the first dose. We’re in Manchester.

To be honest, I am over 70 but I would much happier if my children with young families were more secure than I and had the vaccine before me. Still, there are obviously other considerations why elderly people have priority.

A friend of mine, 72, no particular health conditions, is getting his this afternoon.

I'm only Group 5 (and a different health authority), aged 65 - but on the plus side, I will finally get my State Pension this year!!

Southwest London here, some surgeries started a couple of weeks ago before ours, but DH got his last Thursday, he is 82, I'm 72 and get mine on Wednesday.