An update on the local NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme is to be the subject of the latest webinar being organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Residents are being invited to join the hour-long online discussion at 10.30am on Friday 19 February.

Council leader Councillor Dine Romero will be joined by panellists, Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services,Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality for Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of B&NES Enhanced Medical Services (BEMS) and Dr Bernie Marden, RUH Medical Director.

The panel will address residents' questions and take stock of the vaccination programme locally, including the plans for the continued rollout to priority groups.

Councillor Rob Appleyard said: "The vaccination programme is continuing apace with more than 183,000 doses given so far across the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire area since December. As we move through the priority groups its extremely important people get the right information at the right time. Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do to protect both you, your family and friends. The more people who get vaccinated the more chance we have of things getting back to normal. So, if you have any questions or queries please sign up to take part in the webinar."

Councillor Dine Romero, added: "The fact that so many people in the priority groups across Bath & North East Somerset have already been vaccinated is testament to the incredible work of the NHS, local authorities, military, emergency services and the volunteers who are working tirelessly get the job done.

"I'd like to thank everyone involved in this mammoth effort including 3SG who have co-ordinated the volunteering effort at the Bath Racecourse. Covid-19 rates here are continuing to fall and we can all play our part by receiving the vaccine when we are invited to take it. It's vital we reach all communities across the district and I'd encourage residents who have questions to join the webinar. In the meantime, please continue to follow the lockdown rules."

To register for the webinar click HERE: the Zoom site

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join and submit questions in advance. Questions for the webinar only should be emailed to [email protected]

The webinar will also be live streamed on our Youtube Channel and will also be available afterwards for viewing.

Over 70s can now book a Covid-19 vaccine, even if you haven't been invited by the NHS yet. The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service: the NHS site

If you are unable to book online call 119 any time between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. For other groups:

:Anyone aged 70 and over or on the Shielded Patients List (because they are clinically extremely vulnerable) can use the National Booking System to book an appointment without needing a letter, provided they are registered with a GP (so that records can be matched).

:Vaccinations for health and care workers will need to be arranged through their employer (please email [email protected] if you are a health care worker in B&NES, Swindon or Wiltshire but have not yet been contacted about having the vaccine).

:Anyone else who is the top four priority groups who is still waiting to be contacted and is unable to get an appointment through the national booking system, should contact their GP.