The order of Sheffield's over 80s Covid vaccinations explained as new jab is set to speed programme up

The Clinical Commissioning Group for the city has also confirmed that thanks to the approval of the Oxford vaccine, GP surgeries will now have access to more vaccines and should be able to administer it to patients at a rate faster than previously expected.

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While which groups receive the vaccine first has been widely publicised – care home workers, over 80s and frontline health and social care workers first in line – the order in which the people within those groups receive it has been subject to debate.

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A spokesperson for Sheffield CCG responded to rumours that the order in which the over 80s were vaccinated was determined by alphabetical order.

They said: “Some practices are inviting patients over 80 for their Covid vaccine in alphabetical order although this is not the case for every practice.

“Other methods are being employed such as inviting patients based on their clinical risks, for example if they are shielding.”

This comes as the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is rolled out to GP surgeries all over Sheffield, joining the previously-approved Pfizer vaccine in the city’s arsenal of jabs it can use to vaccinate the population against Covid-19.

The aim of the CCG is to have all of the over 80s vaccinated by the end of January, and the Oxford vaccine will make this goal more achievable.

The CCG spokesperson said: “The new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is being delivered to general practice and vaccinations this week,including this weekend (January 9-10).

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“In Sheffield, groups of GP practices are working together in their primary care networks to administer the vaccine. Each PCN has identified a location to be used as a vaccination centre.

“Each PCN will be receiving both the Pfizer and the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and therefore will be able to vaccinate more people. In line with new national guidance, they will be vaccinating over 80s, staff and care homes as a priority, as well as housebound patients.“Primary care is working incredibly hard to vaccinate as many patients over 80 as possible by the end of January, however this is dependent on many factors including the supply which they receive.”