Dorset CCG reports that they are aware that some people are receiving suspicious calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination.
To protect yourself and your family members from fraud and criminals, remember the following points:
• The vaccine is only available on the NHS for free to people in priority groups, and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn. Anyone offering a paid-for vaccine is committing a crime.
• The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine, and never ask for payment or for your bank details.
• At the moment we are also not making house calls to deliver or discuss the vaccine. Anyone offering this now is committing a crime.
The health and care system is working together to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to local people. We’re doing it in a way which means those who are most at risk will be invited to get their jab first.
Please be reassured that the NHS will get in touch when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.
Dr Karen Kirkham, local GP and Clinical lead for the Dorset COVID-19 vaccination programme, and Assistant Clinical Director of NHS Dorset CCG, said: “It’s really important that people are aware of how to protect themselves and their family members from fraud and follow the advice on how to do this.
“At the same time, we’d like to provide reassure to local people in Dorset that the NHS will be in touch when it’s your turn to be vaccinated. Please don’t contact us to seek a vaccine. We will contact you. We hope this is helpful. We’d like to thank people in Dorset for their continued support.”
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Where the victim is vulnerable, and particularly if you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the Police online or by calling 101.
Picture: Dr Karen Kirkham
