Coronavirus: Vaccination portal opens for those aged 83 and over

People aged 83 and over will be able to book a coronavirus vaccine on the vaccination portal from 9am on Wednesday, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

The vaccination portal had initially been flooded by applications when it first went live for people aged over 80 last month. Amid complaints as slots were grabbed within minutes in a frantic scramble for a jab, the ministry amended the procedure to restrict appointments to specific age groups, starting with the over 90s and moving down.

It is now the turn for people aged 83 years and over who have not already booked an appointment or been vaccinated and who can from tomorrow book an appointment for the period of February 8 to 15.

Members of the public who are eligible are urged to arrange an appointment for the first available slot, so that there is a constant flow of people to the vaccination centres, the ministry said.

People making the appointments either for themselves or for eligible relatives or friends must make sure to enter the correct data (name, ID, date of birth) and the correct telephone mobile number to which the confirmation of the appointment for the first and second dose is sent.

Anyone who has difficulties or queries in arranging an appointment can contact the call centre on 1474 (toll free).

Vaccinations are carried out by 19 vaccination teams at 10 vaccination centres islandwide. Vaccinations are also carried out by five mobile teams, one in each district who cover care homes, health facilities and mountainous and remote areas.