HUNDREDS of thousands of people who are at risk of Covid have come forward in Hampshire to get the autumn booster ahead of winter.

Since launching last month more than 200,000 people have come forward in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to get vaccinated, including people aged 75 and over, the severely immune suppressed and frontline workers.

GPs are contacting their patients in order of clinical priority with information on bookable or walk-in clinics. Additional slots are also being added regularly to the national booking system.

People aged 65 and over, carers and pregnant women can book to get vaccinated, and other eligible groups will start to be invited over the coming weeks. 

Dr Matt Nisbet, GP and Clinical Lead for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “Winter is always a challenging time for NHS services, and we know that flu and Covid are likely to cause additional demand over the coming months. Getting vaccinated is proven to reduce your risk of getting seriously unwell if you catch Covid, so it has been fantastic to see so many people eager to get jabbed so early in the programme and top up their immunity."

“Our vaccinators and teams have been working hard to make sure the most vulnerable members of our communities are vaccinated first to help reduce the chance of them getting seriously unwell should they catch the virus. This has included GPs going into care homes and taking on bookings to vaccinate registered patients over the next few months, community pharmacy offering conveniently located access to those eligible, and pop-up clinics ran by Solent NHS Trust helping us reach specific communities. Thank you to everyone who has already received or booked in to get vaccinated.”