The Covid-19 vaccination programme is the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS. Thanks to the outstanding work of local NHS teams and community volunteers the vaccination rollout is well underway locally.
Oxfordshire was one of the first 50 hospital hubs to start vaccinations when the first jabs were administered to patients, care workers, and frontline NHS staff at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford on 8 December. GP-led vaccination centres then started up from 15 December.
Since then, 18 vaccination sites have opened in a phased approach with three final sites in Carterton, Faringdon, and the Grimsbury area of Banbury opening next week. Plans are also in the pipeline for a mass Oxfordshire Vaccination Centre which is set to be operational by the end of the month.
The following sites are currently serving patients in North Oxfordshire:
- Banbury Cross Health Centre serving patients of Banbury Cross Health Centre;
- Bicester Heritage Centre serving patients of Alchester Medical Group, Bicester Health Centre, and Montgomery House Surgery;
- Chipping Norton Health Centre serving patients of Bloxham Surgery, Chipping Norton Health Centre, Cropredy Surgery, and Deddington Health Centre;
When live, the Grimsbury site will serve patients from Hightown Surgery, Woodlands Surgery, and Windrush Surgery. Vaccines will be administered from Grimsbury Community Centre.
So far, approximately one-third of those over 80 have been vaccinated across the county. Our local NHS is working hard to deliver vaccinations as quickly as possible and as supplies are made available. Because a phased approach is being taken, some residents are having to wait longer than others for their appointment. All those in the priority groups – residents in care homes for older adults and their carers, 80-year-olds and over and frontline health and social care workers – registered with an Oxfordshire GP practice, will be invited to a vaccine appointment in due course.
Residents should not contact their GP or another NHS service to seek a vaccine – GP practices are still open and providing care to other patients. People will be contacted about their appointments in due course. When the NHS does contact you, please be ready and attend your booked appointment.
In the meantime, Covid cases in Cherwell continue to rise. Our area currently has the highest rate of transmission in the county so please continue to follow the lockdown restrictions and public health guidance so we can keep residents and our communities safe.
