Covid Vaccination Programme in Gloucestershire Update

Around a million people across England in the 38-39 age range will have received a text message from the national NHS today, inviting them to book their COVID-19 vaccination through the national booking system (NBS) – website and phone number. In Gloucestershire, the bulk of community vaccinations are being delivered through a network of 10 GP led Primary Care Network vaccination services. These centres are not on the national booking system.

If they have not already been in contact, local GP services will be in touch soon offering first dose appointment slots locally to people in this age group at one of the ten centres across the county. Residents are politely asked not to call their GP surgery for their first dose of vaccine – the surgery will be in contact.

In Gloucestershire, around three quarters of 40-49-year-olds have had a first dose, as NHS vaccination teams continue to work extremely hard to vaccinate priority groups as quickly as supplies allow. More than 550,000 vaccinations have been given in the county so far, including more than 200,000 second doses.

Should they choose to, local residents have the option to use the national booking website: www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination or phone 119 to book a vaccination appointments at other available services. Through the national booking website or phone number, residents can choose to make an appointment at one of three pharmacy locations in the county – Boots in Gloucester, Badhams Pharmacy in Bishops Cleeve and Cainscross Pharmacy in Stroud, subject to availability. Some out of county services/centres may be available to certain residents in priority groups (based on where they live) through the national booking system.

The local NHS is also looking to further increase the range of additional vaccination services and models available in the county.

Clinical Chair of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Andy Seymour, said:

“We understand that younger adults, particularly those aged 38 and 39, will be keen to receive their first dose. We want to reassure residents that they will be able to have their vaccination in Gloucestershire and local GP services will contact them soon to schedule appointments. They do not need to call their surgery at this time.

Our local vaccination teams are ready, with the infrastructure in place, to vaccinate residents as quickly as possible, and we expect supplies will increase in the near future.

This is an extremely busy time for local GP services and we are grateful for the public’s support, their patience and understanding as Practice staff pull out all the stops to support the vaccination programme, whilst providing day to day medical care to patients.”

Local people can get the latest information about the community vaccination programme and read the FAQs on the NHS Gloucestershire COVID-19 website www.gloucestershireccg.nhs.uk.