If you are aged 70 or over - or know someone who is - the news that this age group is being encouraged to book a vaccination appointment with the NHS makes clear the the vaccination programme is going well.

The new policy is designed to ensure that no is missed in a section of the population which has recorded 83% of all deaths associated with COVID-19.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged everyone to think about grandparents, relatives and friends who are 70+ and encourage or help them arrange a first dose jab "as soon as possible, so they can be protected against this awful virus."

Speedy uptake will help the vaccinators deliver the first jab to the top four priority groups by February 15, at which point attention can turn to the remaining five groups, with the aim of reaching everyone over 50 by May.

Until now, people were instructed not to contact the NHS regarding vaccination appointments, but instead wait until they were invited. It was feared a flood of enquiries would overwhelm the system.

Appointments can be made by clicking or tapping here to reach the NHS website.

Anyone unable to book this way can call 119 free of charge, and the lines are open from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.

Mr Hancock said the government had expected take-up of the vaccine to be around 75%, but said it is going "significantly better than we hoped for", with 91% of over-80s having had a jab and 95% among those aged 75-79.

To date, more than 12 million people have had their first vaccine shot, and 512,581 have had their second dose.

If you would like to know more about coronavirus vaccination please click or tap here for information and advice from local GP, Dr Henry Aldwinckle.