This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
MP receives update on local Booster clinics
16/12/2021
Invites have started to be sent out with 1000 booster jabs given in Banbury yesterday
Last night Banbury’s MP Victoria Prentis held an urgent meeting with Oxfordshire’s health chiefs and fellow MPs in an attempt to try to address the problems people have been having accessing COVID booster vaccinations locally in our area.
With the government accelerating the booster programme to enable every adult to have a jab by the end of the month the meeting heard that it was estimated an expansion in capacity of a magnitude of 2.5 times was required. Mrs Prentis was told that public health officials had a working strategy in place to meet this.
Delivery of the programme will be through Primary Care Network sites and community pharmacies who will extend their opening hours and open more vaccination centres.
Whilst this work is underway walk-in clinics have been temporarily suspended in Oxfordshire so that pre-booked appointments can be prioritised.
Mrs Prentis was told that the suspension of the 15-minute observation period following a jab will help to increase flow and capacity. Additional supplies have arrived at Primary Care Network sites and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group staff are being redeployed. Oxfordshire County Council are also working with local authorities’ partners to look at how they can reach difficult to access groups.
Mrs Prentis said: “I was told that 13,000 booster doses have been administered across Oxfordshire in the past couple of days. 1000 were administered in Banbury alone just yesterday. At this rate, the aim is to deliver approximately 230,000 vaccines across the county in three weeks.
“I know that many constituents are finding it difficult to book an appointment through the national booking service at the moment. The reason for this is that our PCNs need time to catch-up and adjust to the increased demand. While it may appear slow to begin with, more appointments are being made available daily as more sites are starting to open up.”
The Hightown Surgery say they will be running booster clinics tomorrow and over the weekend. They are also able to offer first or second doses for those who haven’t attended yet. The surgery has 3,500 available to administer. They say all appointments need to be pre-booked and patients are asked to wait until they get a text invitation.
Banbury Cross Health Centre are contacting their patients as quickly as possible to deliver the vaccine at their sites. They encouraged patients to use the NHS National Booking System.
Woodlands Surgery were due to receive a large vaccine delivery today, enabling them to put on additional clinics for eligible patients tomorrow and through the weekend. They are sending invites out via text message and ask people not to phone the surgery as they have been inundated with calls.
Another vaccination clinic is available at Bicester Heritage Centre.
Mrs Prentis said: “The guidance for constituents is to keep checking for appointments on the national booking system as more become available every day. Some GP led vaccination sites will also contact patients directly for them to book appointments. It is important to not contact your GP about a booster appointment unless they reach out to you directly.
“I will remain in close contact with local public health officials to offer my support and relay any concerns which are raised with me.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam