Two London clinics mistakenly offer Covid jab to young people

Two London clinics have blamed administration and computer errors for accidentally offering the Covid-19 vaccine to young, healthy people.

A patient from one clinic in Tower Hamlets got in touch with the Guardian to express their “disbelief” at being invited for a vaccine, along with a flatmate, despite being in their 30s and not classed as extremely clinically vulnerable.

Both phoned their GP to check it was not a mistake and say they were told the invitation was legitimate and that they were free to book, which they then did. Each received the vaccine last week at the Cable Street surgery in Limehouse.

“We were in disbelief. Both healthy and in our 30s. I called the GP to check this was legitimate – we thought surely it was an admin error. When I got through the receptionist said I wasn’t the first person to call and she would check and confirmed it was legitimate,” said one patient.

“Of course I am extremely grateful to be in this position but it does feel a little under the table given the over-70s and vulnerable I know still waiting in other parts of the country,” they added.

In England, only four groups of people are currently eligible for the vaccine: those over 70, care home residents, health and social care workers, and the extremely clinically vulnerable.

Quick guide Who in the UK will get the new Covid-19 vaccine first?

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The government’s joint committee on vaccination and immunisation has published a list of groups of people who will be prioritised to receive a vaccine for Covid-19 in the UK. The list is:

1 All those 80 years of age and over and health and social care workers.

2 All those 75 and over.

3 All those 70 and over.

4 All those 65 and over.

5 Adults under 65 at high at risk of serious disease and mortality from Covid-19.

6 Adults under 65 at moderate risk of at risk of serious disease and mortality from Covid-19.

7 All those 60 and over.

8 All those 55 and over.

9 All those 50 and over.

10 Rest of the population.

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But in the west London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, about 100 young people were erroneously offered the vaccine, the Guardian understands. None actually received it.

Another Guardian reader got in touch to say their 22-year-old daughter was invited to book her first vaccination from her GP at Hammersmith and Fulham. “She called the surgery and they told her that they had already vaccinated everyone in the vulnerable category (which seems hard to believe). She did not attend because she is currently at home in Devon but was told she could come back anytime and book an appointment for the vaccine,” they said.