County passes another major milestone in jabs campaign
GLOUCESTERSHIRE has hit another major Covid milestone after more than 500,000 vaccines were administered.
Cases and death rates in the county are now some of the lowest in the country, in part as a result of the job being done by the NHS to roll out the life-saving drug.
More than 150,000 second doses have been given, which NHS leaders have described as a ‘remarkable effort.’
If they have not already been in contact, local GP services will be in touch as soon as supplies allow offering first dose appointment slots locally to people between the ages of 40 and 49.
There are now 10 Primary Care Network Gp-led vaccination centres across the county.
But people have been urged not to call their GP - the surgery will be in contact.
Dr Andy Seymour said: “We know people are very keen to receive their first doses, in particular people aged between 40 and 49 without underlying health conditions.
“NHS vaccination teams in Gloucestershire will be progressing through this age group as quickly as possible, as vaccine supplies allow. We want to reassure residents that local GP services will contact them to schedule appointments and they do not need to call their surgery at this time.
“Local vaccination teams continue to stand ready, with the infrastructure in place, to vaccinate as many residents as possible, as quickly as possible, and we expect supplies will increase in the near future.”
Professor Steve Hams, senior responsible officer for the Gloucestershire Covid-19 Vaccination programme, has thanked “all those who have played their part in this superb vaccination effort in Gloucestershire”.
He said: “It is heartening to see that positive progress continues to be made by local vaccination teams and in particular a great many more people who are at greater risk from the virus are receiving their second doses across Gloucestershire.
“We understand that younger adults could well be feeling somewhat frustrated as they wait patiently for their first dose, but the service is poised to step back up closer to capacity as additional supplies come on stream.”
People in the 40-49 age range will have also received a national communication - a text or letter - from the NHS giving them the option to use the national booking website or phone 119 to book a vaccination appointment 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.