Vaccination teams across Gloucestershire have been praised as local NHS leaders confirm that everyone eligible over the age of 18 has been offered a COVID booster in line with national ambitions.

More than 125,000 boosters have been delivered since the vaccination programme was accelerated on 12 December, when the Government announced that all adults should be offered a vaccination before 31 December to limit the spread of the Omicron variant.

This brings the total number of people boosted in the county since September to almost 400,000, around 85% of the eligible adult population.

One Gloucestershire health and care partners moved quickly to step up the speed and scale of the programme, with GP surgery teams, pharmacy, community and hospital services working to increase capacity, in many cases operating seven days a week.

Dr Andy Seymour, Clinical Chair, NHS Gloucestershire CCG, said:

“What has been achieved in Gloucestershire in the last few weeks is nothing short of phenomenal.

This has been a truly collaborative effort and it once again highlights what can be achieved when One Gloucestershire partners pull together for a common cause – in this case to protect local people and keep them safe.

A huge thank you to the vaccination teams, including volunteers, and local councils and other community partners who have provided support on the ground and ensured the clinics continue to run smoothly.

What has been really encouraging during the last few weeks is the number of adults still coming forward for their first doses. It isn’t too late to get a vaccination, whether that’s a first, second or booster dose; our vaccination teams are here for you and there will be no let-up in our efforts in the new year.”

There are three ways to access a COVID-19 vaccination in Gloucestershire:

  1. Via appointment at a GP-led primary care network (PCN) vaccination centre

The bulk of vaccinations continue to be provided by appointment through the 11 PCN community vaccination centres across the county. Please note that these appointments are not available on the national booking system (NBS), people will have received an invite directly from local NHS services to book (often via text if your GP practice has a contact number).

Additionally, people may be invited to book their appointment at a number of ‘pop-up’ sites across the county.

  1. Via the national booking system (NBS)

People may choose to book an appointment at one of 9 community pharmacies across the county using the NBS telephone number and website (www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination or call 119).

  1. At a drop-in clinic

More drop-in clinics are being made available at a number of community vaccination sites into the new year. Dates (including any new ones) and any changes to eligibility for future drop-in sessions will be available on the local NHS COVID portal. People can also keep up to date through CCG (@GlosCCG) and GP Practice social media channels.

Everything people need to know about the vaccination programme in Gloucestershire is available on the local NHS COVID portal, including locations of vaccination sites, information leaflets, drop-in dates and FAQs.