Region's vaccination total passes a million

As of Tuesday, 8 June, the number stood at 1,020,056, meaning around 71 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one dose.

Local health and care leaders have welcomed the milestone, but have also used the news to encourage people to book their first coronavirus vaccine and, wherever necessary, to also come forward for their second dose.

Vaccines are now available to all people over the age of 25, and are being given out at more than two dozen locations across the region, including the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, all of which are listed by the National Booking Service.

All people eligible for the vaccine should use the National Booking Service, which is available over the phone by calling 119 or online at www.nhs.uk, to secure their appointments, and not wait to be contacted by their GP practice.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “To provide more than one million vaccines in the space of just six months is quite unbelievable, and I’d like to thank all those involved for making today’s announcement possible.

“However, coronavirus is still very much with us and the news of rising cases in some parts of the country shows there is a very real need for all people, especially those in the younger age groups, particularly people aged between 30 and 39, to come forward to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

“All our vaccination sites are now listed on the National Booking Service, meaning people have the freedom to be vaccinated in a location convenient to them, such as at a site that is close to home or place of work or education.

“We have all come so far in our fight against coronavirus and, with the finishing line hopefully now in sight, this final push to get everybody vaccinated has never been more important.”

The last few weeks have seen a reshuffle of local vaccination venues with some GP-led sites taking a step back from the vaccine rollout, and other locations, such as community pharmacies, added to the fold.

This planned move, according to NHS bosses, will allow some GP practices to revert their focus back to fully providing much-needed everyday care.

As this is still a busy time within healthcare, people can support their local practice by thinking about whether the concern requires the attention of a GP or a whether self-care, a visit to a local pharmacist, or a combination of the two would be more appropriate.

More information on the vaccine rollout and details of local health and care services can be found at www.bswccg.nhs.uk.