PATIENTS have been told to keep their eyes peeled for a text inviting them to book an appointment for their vaccine, a Romsey surgery has confirmed.

Abbeywell Surgery, The Abbey, revealed they will be sending invitations out this week in a bid to administer the game-changing jab to as many people as possible.

In a Facebook post on Monday, the surgery stressed the text is not a scam and eligible patients will receive a message by accurx.thirdparty.nhs.uk.

According to the booking system's website, accuBook helps GPs roll out the COVID-19 vaccination programme across the UK.

It is assured by the NHS for making appointments.

Staff at Abbeywell Surgery pleaded with people not to phone the service as they are still receiving "very high levels of calls".

They say this is causing problems for patients trying to contact them with medical queries.

They also said staff are working to "vaccinate housebound patients and hope to complete this by the end of the week".

Reminding patients of the NHS's new message, the surgery explained everyone over 70-years-old who has not yet received a letter or phone call inviting them to have their first dose can now book an appointment by phoning 119.

The line is open between 7am and 11pm, or alternatively patients can book online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

This comes after the NHS changed its messaging from "we will contact you" to "contact us" for those over the age of 70.

The Government is just days away from saying whether or not it has met its target for offering all people in the top four priority groups the Covid jab before the middle of February.

The priority list, set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, currently has nine groups in it.

At the moment the focus remains on the top four groups which include all those over 70, health and social care workers, care home residents, their carers and people deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable to the virus.

The Prime Minister set a target for everyone in these groups - around 15 million people - to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine by February 15.