COVID booster jab capacity will be increased on the Isle of Wight, following frustration of many residents who have been unable to book appointments.
There will be more walk-in vaccine opportunities starting this weekend with a roving, mobile booster vaccine bus.
Since the booster programme was announced, Islanders have struggled to get appointments for their third jab: some have been directed to the mainland; others struggled to get an appointment through the national booking system and there has been widespread confusion across social media.
Having listened to Islanders’ access concerns in the last few weeks, Alison Smith, managing director of the NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), last night (Monday) announced measures to increase the Island’s COVID booster capacity.
Speaking to the Isle of Wight Council’s health and social care scrutiny committee, Ms Smith said the bus will visit 3 towns — Freshwater, Ventnor and Sandown twice — between Thursday and Sunday, with the capacity to vaccinate between 250 and 500 people per site but 1,750 vaccines overall.
Ms Smith said:
“I apologise for the confusion, it was not our intention and we will do all we can to unravel this and make sure everybody has the opportunity to get their booster. We need to do better.”
The CCG has been contacted for more information but final details like where and when will be confirmed in the next 24 to 48 hours.
A pop-up clinic will also open at the Isle of Wight College for those 16 and 17-year-olds who have not yet taken up the vaccine offer.
Overall, 62% of those over 40 on the Island have had their booster vaccine and it was announced yesterday (Monday) boosters would be made available to all those over 18 as long as there was a long enough period between their second and third jab.
The vaccine booster rollout was heavily criticised by the scrutiny committee although it was also thankful for the hard work of vaccination teams and volunteers.
It’s still not good enough. It took this long for the authorities to step up and get this sorted. Why?
Absolute shambles, still don’t know what to do for best to get booster. Only instruction has been to book online.
If you have the letter saying you can have it, go to your doctors and request one.
We did this, and we were told ‘There are no slots available here for booster jabs; you must ring 119 !!!
62% of over 40’s have had a booster jab, what about the ones who don’t think they have to have one at all. Do what Greece is doing and fine them £100 per month until they have the jab. Give the money straight to the NHS as well. After all when the unvaccinated get ill, they will still expect to be helped out.
Then you’d have to extend those fines to people who are overweight, drink, smoke etc etc…because illnesses related to those things are what’s putting the NHS under strain. Forcing someone to have a something injected into their body is wrong…And if this happens we no longer live in a free society…
no wonder its such a mess with ms Smith in charge, 1st’ly denying there was a problem a couple of weeks ago and then offering a solution, without times or locations, and 250 to 500 per site by 3 sites equals 1750 jabs (Who taught her Maths).
Totally useless system for arranging a booster. It’s all very well to keep on texting me to remind me!! And no I can’t book it online..
Ridiculous. Why only those three areas? The whole Island is struggling to get the booster. I got my invite weeks ago – still havnt had it as cant book online and zero response from GP about going there.
Farcical.
I fully agree with you, my partner should of had the booster at least 3 weeks ago, and they are a carer.
No help from their doctor and as for booking online …… no comment.
I would imagine there are many more people spread all over the Island in the same situation.
Our GP refused to help, and 119 tried to send us to the mainland. ! !
That’s if the booster works with the Xi variant.
Its not about a booster jab defending against a specific variant..its about a general level of antibody build up in the immune system to stop you getting severely ill..