Devon covid jabs on way for ages 18 to 42

But wait to be called

The covid vaccination programme in Devon is about to enter a remarkable phase - people between the ages of 18 and 49 are to be offered appointments in the second phase.

Originally when the jab became available just before Christmas, nine priority groups were identified, including everyone older than 50 and people with some medical conditions.

Now Devon is about to extend the scheme to groups 10 to 12, covering people aged 18 to 49. Over the past few days, everyone aged 42 and over were invited to book appointments. People in the younger age groups are being asked to wait to be contacted by the national booking service or, in some cases, their GP.

In Devon, 13 of the existing 20 GP-led sites across the county are offering vaccinations to people aged 18-49 as they become eligible, while all 20 locations will continue to offer second doses to their patients in the top nine priority groups (people aged 50 and over, and high risk groups).

Dr Paul Johnson, a GP and clinical chair at Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “In Devon, two in three people in the adult population have now received their first vaccine dose and we thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication in helping make this happen.

“Alternative arrangements are being put in place in areas where GP-led sites are not continuing to vaccinate in phase two to ensure there is continued local access to the covid-19 vaccine for their patients aged 18-49. This includes alternative local providers, such as local pharmacies, hospital hubs and larger vaccination centres.
“I would like to thank GP colleagues for continuing to balance the delivery of vaccinations with wider general practice-led service provision.”

Exeter and East Devon and Mid Devon
Some GP sites in Exeter will not be providing vaccinations for their patients aged 18-49, but people in the city can use the National Booking Service to book an appointment at locations including at the nearby large vaccination centre at Greendale Business Park or Lewis Pharmacy in Exmouth.
A spokesperson said: “The GP practices who have been running the vaccination programme out of the Exminster Limes Surgery, St Thomas Health Centre and Mount Pleasant Health Centres in Exeter for the first phase of the covid-19 vaccination programme are now focusing on the second doses for the people who we vaccinated who are aged 50 years and over or with underlying health conditions.

“Our practices will not be sending out invitations to people aged 18-49 and we ask that patients do not contact their surgery as we now focus on completing second doses and providing our usual range of services within our practices.”
People registered with Westbank Surgery in Exminster will be invited to Dawlish Community Hospital.
Anyone who has an appointment for a first or second dose of covid vaccine at the large vaccination centre at Westpoint Exeter should go to the new site at the Greendale Business Park if their appointment is 7 May 2021 or after.

Appointments at the GP-led sites at Exmouth Tennis and Fitness Centre and Moorhayes Community Centre in Tiverton are soon set to be added to the National Booking Service, with a date to be confirmed. For now, the practices continue to contact patients directly.
 

North Devon
The vaccination site will continue at North Devon Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, but the running of the site will be taken on by Northern Devon Healthcare Trust and bookings can be made through the National Booking Service – not the GP practice.
Subject to approval by NHS England and NHS Improvement, it is expected that the leisure centre will be available to book for appointments on the National Booking Service for people in the eligible groups from early May.

Andrea Bell, deputy chief nurse at Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Our team has delivered over 16,000 vaccinations at our clinics for health and social care workers at North Devon District Hospital. Now that those clinics have come to an end, we’re delighted that we can move on to support vaccinating local people in cohorts 10-12, once eligible, at the Leisure Centre in Barnstaple.

A spokesperson for the 14 GP practices who have been running the vaccination centre at Barnstaple Leisure Centre said: “We have successfully vaccinated over 50,000 people and we are now focusing on the second doses for this group. We have been pleased to be involved with the national programme, vaccinating the highest risk patients, however we are now handing over the running of the vaccination programme for cohorts 10-12 (those aged 18-49 years old).”
The National Booking Service currently offers appointments at Arnold’s Pharmacy in Westward Ho!
Ruby Country Medical Practice (Holsworthy) and Bradworthy Surgery will continue to arrange vaccinations for their patients and vaccination clinics will continue to be held at Holsworthy Health Centre. Patients will be contacted by the practices when appointments are available.
Plymouth, Ivybridge, Plympton and Plymstock

PLYMOUTH
In the Plymouth area, the Pavilions, the Staddy and Glenside Medical Centre will not be vaccinating the 18-49 age group but local people can continue to access the large vaccination centre at Home Park and Devonport Pharmacy through the National Booking Service.
A spokesperson for Dean Cross, Church View, Yealm and Wembury Surgery said: “Our group of GP practices has been running the vaccination programme out of the Staddy Function Centre in Plymstock for patients in cohorts 1-9 since December 2020.
“The team have vaccinated over 13,000 people and are now focusing on the second doses for those patients. We have been proud to be involved with the national programme and vaccinate the highest risk patients, however we are now handing over the vaccination programme for cohorts 10-12 (those aged 18-49).”