George Freeman has told young people to "contact their GP immediately" to book a booster jab contracting NHS advice saying people should wait for the call.
The vaccination programme in Norfolk and Waveney is well under way
- Credit: Danielle Booden
Almost 60,000 over-80s in Norfolk and Waveney have received a Covid jab, with just a few days left for health bosses to meet their 100pc target.
Fresh data published by NHS England today shows 58,730 people in the oldest priority group have had their first dose of the vaccine.
Covid vaccinations have been taking place at the large-scale centre in Castle Quarter
- Credit: Danielle Booden
That is 82pc of the overall number of patients in the region aged 80 and above.
It is hoped the remaining 18pc will get their jabs by the end of the month.
But he said sites would operate 24 hours a day if we need to .
Mr Zahawi also told Times Radio that he wanted to reach the point where people could simply walk into their community pharmacy or local GP to receive a vaccine.
Meanwhile, England s chief medical officer has warned the next few weeks will be the worst of the pandemic for the NHS.
Chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, has warned the next few weeks will be the worst of the pandemic for the NHS
- Credit: PA
Professor Chris Whitty told BBC Breakfast there were currently 30,000 people with coronavirus in the NHS system, compared to 18,000 during the April 2020 peak.
Published:
5:50 PM January 8, 2021
Laura Soames, pharmacy technician, vaccinates Ann Rendall, 85, at the new vaccination centre at Bowthorpe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2021
Hundreds of over-80s have been receiving jabs at a newly-opened vaccination site, as Norfolk and Waveney s battle against Covid-19 gathers pace.
People who have had their injection wait the required 15 minutes before they leave the new vaccination centre at Bowthorpe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2021
Patients queued at Trinity and Bowthorpe Medical Practice on Friday as the surgery began offering coronavirus vaccines for the first time.
Bowthorpe and The Park Surgery, in Great Yarmouth, were this week