HEALTH Secretary, Matt Hancock, has urged anyone over the age of 70 who hasn't yet had a vaccine to contact the NHS to get their first jab.

The Health Secretary has been leading a briefing this evening (Monday), alongside England's deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van Tam, and NHS England's medical director for primary care, Dr Nikki Kanani.

It was announced that over-70s who have not yet had their Covid jab should now contact the NHS rather than wait to be contacted.

The health service in England has changed its messaging from 'we will contact you' to 'contact us' for those over the age of 70.

Isle of Wight County Press: Daily confirmed cases of Covid-19 in UK. (PA)Daily confirmed cases of Covid-19 in UK. (PA)

Mr Hancock said 91% of over-80s have now had their first dose of the vaccine, 95% of those aged 75-79, and almost three quarters of those aged 70-74, while take-up among eligible care home residents is 93%.

He said: ""From today, I have a message for everyone aged 70 and above. Until now we've said please wait for the NHS to contact you, now that message is changing."

The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

Anyone who is unable to do this online can call 119 at anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week, free of charge.

The Government has pledged to offer those within the top four priority groups the Covid vaccine before the middle of this month.

These include all those over 70, health and social care workers, care home residents and their carers, and people deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable to the virus.