Around 2.7 million people across England in the 25-29 age range will receive a text message from the national NHS in the coming days, inviting them to book their COVID-19 vaccination through the national booking system (NBS) – website and phone number.

In Gloucestershire, the bulk of community vaccinations are being delivered through a network of 10 GP led Primary Care Network vaccination services. These centres are not on the national booking system.

If they have not already been in contact, local GP services will be in touch soon offering first dose appointment slots locally to people in this age group at one of the ten centres across the county. Residents are politely asked not to call their GP surgery for their first dose of vaccine – the surgery will be in contact.

In Gloucestershire, just under eighty-five percent of 40-49 year olds and more than sixty percent of 30-39 year olds have had a first dose, as NHS vaccination teams continue to work extremely hard to vaccinate priority groups as quickly as supplies allow.

More than 700,000 vaccinations have been given in the county so far, including more than 300,000 second doses.

Dr Andy Seymour, Clinical Chair of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“As we mark six months since the largest vaccination programme in NHS history began, I’d like to pay tribute to our incredible vaccination teams whose hard work and dedication has contributed to more than fifty percent of our adult population being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

I’d like to reassure residents that they will be able to access a vaccination in Gloucestershire if they wish to. Local GP services will be in touch soon to offer a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to those in the 25-29 age-group.

I would urge people to take up the offer of a jab as soon as it’s offered; the vaccination is our best chance of protecting ourselves from the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 and getting back to being able to do the things we like doing.”

Should they choose to, local residents also have the option to use the national booking website: www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination or phone 119 to book a vaccination appointment at other available services.

Through the national booking website or phone number, residents can choose to make an appointment at a pharmacy location in the county – Boots in Gloucester, Badhams Pharmacy in Bishops Cleeve, Cainscross Pharmacy in Stroud and Cirencester or Day Lewis and Allied Pharmacy in the Forest of Dean, subject to availability.

Some out of county services/centres may be available to certain residents in priority groups (based on where they live) through the national booking system.

The local NHS will continue to monitor the vaccination programme in the county and carefully consider the range and nature of any additional vaccination services.

Local people can get the latest information about the community vaccination programme and read the FAQs on the NHS Gloucestershire COVID-19 website.