In an address to the nation today, health secretary Matt Hancock has advised all residents aged over 70 who have not received an appointment for the vaccine, to contact the NHS.

"Vaccines save lives - they protect you and evidence they protect those around you as well," Mr Hancock said.

"We're not going to rest until all vulnerable people are protected - the NHS is doing everything it can to reach at risk groups.

"We're on track to meet priority groups 1-4 by February 15.

"From today I have a message for everyone aged 70 and above - if you live in England and are 70 and over and have not yet got an appointment to be vaccinated please contact the NHS. The easiest way to do this is by going online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination - or by calling 119."

If a suitable and convenient slot is not available people can also call their GP practice.

"I'm so grateful to the whole team delivering this programme - and to everyone baring their arms to get the jab," he added.

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It comes as the Government is just days away from saying whether or not it has met its target for offering all people in the top four priority groups the Covid jab before the middle of February.

The priority list, set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, currently has nine groups in it.

At the moment the focus remains on the top four groups which include all those over 70, health and social care workers, care home residents, their carers and people deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable to the virus.

The Prime Minister set a target for all the people in these group to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine by February 15.

In order not to overwhelm the NHS the initial messaging to the public was to wait until the NHS contacted them about their vaccine.

But the health service is now calling for those aged over 70 who have not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19 to contact the NHS to arrange a jab.

Latest figures show 91 per cent of over-80s have now had their first dose of the vaccine, 95 per cent of those aged 75-79, and almost three quarters of those aged 70-74.

Dr Nikki Kanani, medical director for primary care at NHS England and practising GP, said: “The NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history, is off to a strong start with every eligible care home receiving a visit and millions more people being vaccinated at one of over 1,500 centres across the country thanks to the tireless efforts of my colleagues.

“But if you are aged 70 and over, and haven’t yet received your vaccine, please come forward and make an appointment as soon as you can. 

“The vaccine is safe, simple, and will offer you and those around you crucial protection against this virus.”

The health secretary also announced the Government is joining up with a Derby-based company that will make 20 million rapid tests to be used in the government's asymptomatic testing programme.

Meanwhile, from today, workplace testing will be offered to all businesses with over 50 employees.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock added: “Thanks to the huge efforts of the NHS, volunteers and local authorities we have vaccinated an incredible 12 million vulnerable people so far – including around nine in 10 of all over-70s.

“We are on track to meet our goal of offering everyone in the top four priority groups a jab.

“So far we have said please wait until the NHS contacts you. I now urge everyone aged 70 and over who hasn’t yet had a vaccination to come forward and contact the NHS to book in their jab.

“And if you have grandparents, relatives and friends over 70, please encourage them to book an appointment as soon as possible, so they can be protected against this awful virus.

“Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic and, by ensuring you and your loved ones get booked in for a jab, the NHS can give those most at-risk the protection they need as we continue to fight this disease together.”