AN MP has issued an urgent clarification after a number of constituents in tiers 3 and 4 of the vaccination programme contacted his office having received NHS letters inviting them for Covid vaccination.

Several people have been offered the vaccine at centres as far away as Tyneside and Bradford, and are understandably worried about this.

The Tees Valley CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) has clarified the situation: "People in these groups do not have to accept an offer to travel to these mass vaccination centres - this is an additional option.

"Everybody in tiers 1-4 will have received their first vaccination dose by February 15."

Simon Clarke, the Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "It’s really important that people in these groups know that you do not have to accept the offer to travel to these mass vaccination centres - although you are welcome to go if you can safely and would like to.

"If you wait, our local GP surgeries will be in touch with you to organise your vaccination.  

"Please do not call them and clog vital phone lines - they will be in touch with you.

"In other words, these offers to travel are simply additional options to the local roll-out.  

"It isn’t a 'take it or leave it' option."

For full information on how you will be contacted regarding your coronavirus vaccine, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/how-you-will-be-contacted/