Fifth of Covid jab slots missed
HEALTH bosses are urging people to attend their Covid jabs as vaccine centres across Hampshire have seen around 20 per cent of appointments missed over recent weekends.
While demand has been high for appointments for children aged between five and 11, some sites have seen around 20 per cent – the equivalent of 110 slots a day – of weekend spaces missed.
This means others waiting to get vaccinated are delayed, sotheHampshire,Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG is asking anyone who cannot attend to either rebook in advance through the national booking system or contact 119.
It comes as more than 14,000 children within that age group in Hampshire and Isle of Wight have received their first dose of the vaccine, which was offered from April.
Angela Anderson, deputy chief nurse and clinical director for the vaccination service, said: ‘The decision to get your child vaccinated, as a parent or guardian, is yours.
‘Not only can the vaccine help protect your child against serious Covid infection, it can also reduce the risk of passing on the infection to others.
‘So, if you or your child haven’t yet received the vaccine, why not book an appointment or come and speak to the teams at one of our centres as soon as you are able?
‘They will be there to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.’
Children aged 5 to 11 who have had Covid-19 recently should leave 12 weeks between when they were positive to when they book their vaccination.
If parents or guardians have questions about getting their child vaccinated or want to book appointments, they can contact the helpline on 0300 561 0018.
As of May 18, 163,572 people in Portsmouth – or 80 per cent of eligible people – had received at least one Covid jab, 154,119 – or 75.4 per cent – had had two and 119,438 – or 58.4 per cent – had received three.
In Gosport, 88.2 per cent of people have had one, 84.1 per cent have had two and 70.1 have had three.
In Fareham, 91.2 per cent have had one jab, 88.4 per cent two and 76.4 per cent three.
And in Havant, 88.5 per cent of people have had one jab, 84.9 per cent two and 71.4 per cent three.