MELKSHAM’S GP surgeries have reassured patients aged 40-49 struggling to book a Covid jab at a local vaccination centre, that more appointments will be available once supplies increase.
Some patients trying to book their first vaccine dose via the NHS National Booking Service have been offered locations as far as Bristol and Shepton Mallet, with the next available dates available in late-July.
But the Melksham and Bradford on Avon Primary Care Network (PCN) has explained that as vaccine supplies increase, and more local sites become available via the online booking service, patients will see a ‘notable’ increase in the choice of local vaccination sites, including Spencer’s in Melksham.
The PCN says, “Melksham and BoA PCN are starting to release vaccine appointments at Spencer’s Sport and Social Club, Melksham on the National Booking Service (NBS) for patients 40-49 years.
“This booking process is in its pilot stages but as vaccine supply increases there will be more clinics available for you to book on the NBS at Spencer’s. The NBS is now the principle way of making vaccine appointments for those less than 50 years; hence the local phone hotline will no longer be available.
“Currently there are limited options on NBS in terms of location for a vaccination; a lot of these are not local. As vaccine supplies increase and more local sites come ‘online’ you will see a notably increased choice of local vaccination sites.
“If you are 40-49 years you will have already received the NHS England letter/text containing the link to the NBS website or phone line which will enable you to book your appointment.
“We have no control as to who books the appointments at Spencer’s on the NBS, so in an effort to offer our Primary Care Network patients the best chance of booking locally, we will notify you via social media /text in advance of clinics being bookable on the NBS.
“Second vaccine doses for our over 50’s (or those in the priority groups 4 and 6) will continue to be booked via the practices contacting patients by text or phone.”
