PEOPLE aged 40 and over across the Black Country are being invited to have their Covid-19 vaccine.

Residents in the Dudley borough who are aged 40 and over have been receiving letters and texts from the NHS inviting them to book a slot to have their jab at a mass vaccination centre or pharmacy.

Health chiefs said today that across the Black Country and West Birmingham the NHS has now vaccinated 89 per cent of people aged 45 and over so it has now opened up the booking process for jabs for the over 40s.

Although it is understood that some GP practices in the borough are still ploughing through vaccinating the over 50s age group.

Sally Roberts, chief nurse for Black Country and West Birmingham CCGs, said: “We are pleased to be able to invite everyone aged 40 and over to come and get their Covid-19 vaccine.

“We want to ensure everyone in an eligible group has had the chance to get protected, especially those who are most at risk of serious illness."

Vaccination appointments can be booked by calling 119 or online at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

In a statement released to the media today health chiefs said people can also book with their local vaccination service by contacting their GP.

One patient in their early 40s, however, told the News when they tried to book through their GP surgery, Lion Health in Stourbridge, on Friday - they were declined an appointment.

The patient, who asked not to be named, said: "They said they're not doing over 40s right now - they're still on over 50s."

Another local resident, who contacted the News on Twitter, said earlier this week: "As a 42-year-old, I really don’t understand why the nearest vaccination centre I’ve been offered is seven miles away and there’s no option available located in Dudley. It makes it very difficult to get to, when you’ve got to work, and also have a toddler to look after."

Health bosses say more than 633,000 people in the Black Country and West Birmingham – almost 60 per cent of the total adult population – have now had their first dose of the vaccine; and more than 220,000 local people have now received both doses of the vaccine.

In the Dudley borough confirmed cases of coronavirus have fallen by 28 per cent in the last week.

A total of 58 new positive Covid cases were recorded in the seven days up until April 26 (an infection rate of 18 cases per 100,000 people).

While in the previous seven-day period - 81 new cases were confirmed and the infection rate stood at 25.2 per 100,000 people.