Oxford Health is reminding people in eligible groups that they can still get appointments for their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine via the national booking service.
Now, and in the run-up to Easter, the focus is on making sure that absolutely everyone in the most at-risk cohorts has had the chance to be vaccinated, ahead of the national NHS target of offering all priority groups their first vaccine by April 15 and when there is tighter supply of available doses.
Appointments for first doses are still available, but they are filling up fast. So, if you are in an eligible group and you haven’t booked your first dose yet, the time to do so is right now.
People who are aged over 50, those who live or work in care homes, health and social care workers, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable or clinically vulnerable and main carers for someone at high risk from coronavirus are in the top priority cohorts.
If you are eligible, you can book or amend an appointment on the national booking service or by calling 119. As well as vaccination centres there may be pharmacies in your area that you can attend.
Oxford’s Kassam Stadium is operational this week including Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday.
At the Madejski Stadium in Reading, appointments are taking place until Easter Sunday, but there will be no vaccinations on Saturday (April 3) or Easter Monday (April 5) due to football.
In Buckinghamshire, operations at the centre at the Bucks New University campus in Aylesbury have been temporarily paused from today until April 26 when second dose appointments begin.
From April 5 at the Kassam and from April 6 at Madejski until April 11, a skeleton service will operate at both sites for any vaccinations booked via the national booking system.
In Oxford vaccinators will give scheduled second doses to booked health and social care workers from April 13 before opening to the public for second doses on April 19. In Reading, operations will resume to the public for booked appointments after April 30. No vaccines will be wasted.
While there is still the chance, the country’s top GP is urging those aged 50-69 yet to get their first jab, to come forward to join the 26 million plus in England who have now been vaccinated.
Take-up of the vaccine has been strong; nationally nine out of 10 people aged 60 and over have already taken up their first dose.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care, said: “The NHS is reaching out to those 50-69 year-olds who haven’t yet taken up the offer to be vaccinated.
“If you are one of those people yet to book a first dose, please come forward and get your life-saving COVID-19 vaccine which will not only protect you but those around you.”
Published: 30 March 2021