GP practices say 'it is never too late to get the Covid jab' and encourage people to go and get vaccinated as Omicron cases rise.
Between December 12 and 31 the NHS administered 236,728 in Oxfordshire.
GP surgeries and vaccination clinics across southern Oxfordshire are welcoming adults over 18 to get a Covid booster jab. People are encouraged to visit the National Booking Service to book an appointment or to accept invitation for a vaccine when they are contacted by their GP.
Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “Please remember, it’s never too late to come forward for a Covid vaccination as it remains the best way to protect yourself, your family and friends against getting seriously ill from the virus. People who can’t attend their booked appointment are asked to cancel it as soon as possible so someone else can use the slot.”
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David Rouane, leader of the South Oxfordshire District Council said: "Please get a booster, by either using the national booking system to book one, or by saying yes when your GP contacts you. It’s the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and the critical public services we all rely on."
He added: "My partner and I had our boosters just before Christmas following a text from our GP. Even though my partner uses a mobility scooter we were in and out in no time. The staff and volunteers were so helpful. Please also remember that if you have booked it is really important to turn up for the appointment, otherwise you are taking a slot that someone else could have had."
Vale of White Horse Leader Emily Smith said: “With this new Omicron variant, getting your booster is more important than ever. I’d urge everyone who hasn’t already booked their booster, or first vaccination if they haven’t had one yet, to do so as soon as they can.”
The drive for people to get vaccinated comes as the country faces a huge shortage of lateral flow tests and PCR tests.
The chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies Leyla Hannbeck, has said patients are often unable to find the Covid-19 tests in pharmacies because of low and “inconsistent” supplies.
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Pharmacist assistant Sam Lewis at Jhoots Pharmacy in Abingdon said last week they had two deliveries and by the end of the day the pharmacy had run out.
A member of staff at Lloyds Pharmacy in Woodlands Medical Centre in Didcot said they have been facing shortages of lateral flow tests.
The pharmacy said it is checking with its suppliers on a daily basis and added that many people are coming in with codes from the NHS to collect lateral flow tests, but the pharmacy is often out of stock.
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