Almost 250,000 vaccines have been given in north Cumbria, new figures show.
NHS England figures show that 246,144 vaccines had been administered by Thursday.
That is 181,458 first vaccines and 64,686 second vaccines – delivered through primary care teams, hospital hubs, community pharmacies and the Penrith Auction Mart vaccination centre.
Teams are currently providing the second dose to those who were called early in the programme – mainly those over 80, those in care homes, and frontline NHS and social care staff.
This is mainly happening at Primary Care Network (PCN) hubs which can handle large numbers of patients receiving the Pfizer vaccine (which requires specialist handling).
There are also a range of bookable options now available which can be accessed through the National Booking Service
There are nine hubs across the north Cumbria area. People are being called as soon as the vaccine is confirmed and appointments are available.
Patients are asked to make sure they keep their appointment once they’ve been called and have accepted their time slot.
Most PCNs are also calling first vaccines for those newly eligible in the 45-49 age range. As more bookable options are coming online through the National Booking Service, people living in Eden and the Brampton and Longtown area will be asked to use the National Booking Service.
How can I get my vaccine?
People newly eligible can wait to be called by their GP (unless they are in Eden or Brampton and Longtown) or book slots through the National Booking System at participating community pharmacies or large vaccination centres.
In north Cumbria they are:
- Boots in Carlisle
- Pharmacy4U at Dunmail Park in Workington
- Seacliffe Pharmacy in Kells in Whitehaven
- Penrith Auction Mart Vaccination Centre
- Primary care teams in Eden and Brampton and Longtown will be supporting partners with additional sessions
More community pharmacy options will be coming online shortly and other options will be advertised when they are available.
Slots are added to the National Booking Service as they are released, so if you can’t see the slot you want, people are asked to keep checking.
Ed Tallis, director of primary care for NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “This is an enormous programme and everyone involved has done a remarkable job so far.
“We are working towards all adults being offered their first jab by the end of July and we are making good progress with almost a quarter of a million vaccinations given here so far.
“It is fantastic that people are keen to get their vaccine as soon as they are eligible, but we would just ask people to be patient. You can wait to be called by your GP in most areas which means you can be done close to home – at a hub or possibly at your own practice, or you can book through the National Booking Service.
“If you can’t see a slot that works for you please just keep checking back as new slots are added as they are released.
“We also want to reassure people who may have refused the vaccine, but have changed their mind, that the door is still open and they can book online or talk to their GP practice.
“And it is really important to remind everyone that after they have had the vaccine they still need to keep following the hands, face, space, guidance to protect others.”
If you have a slot and get a more convenient appointment, patients are asked to cancel the original booking so it can be offered to other people.
