Information on vaccine access

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 vaccination programme has been a real success and we are grateful for the work of so many dedicated individuals and organisations, who have made our communities feel informed and supported to have the vaccine. As you will be aware, the autumn vaccination programme has started this week in care homes and shortly eligible members of the public including frontline health and social care staff will be able to book an appointment slot through the national booking system, though the date of this is yet to be announced.

As you know, in line with new national guidance we have developed a more flexible autumn delivery programme, which means autumn delivery will mainly be through general practice, community pharmacies and pop-up community clinics.

Vaccination centres played a vital role in the roll out of the vaccine, particularly at the start when they helped reach large numbers of people quickly. Following the end of the previous vaccination rollout, the vaccination centres at Oakley Road (Southampton), Riverside (Isle of Wight) and St James (Portsmouth) closed at the end of August 2022. Oakley Road and Riverside will re-open later in the month as part of the roving clinics provided by Solent NHS Trust, so please as a reminder do not direct people towards these clinics at this time as they will be turned away.

If people are looking to get their first, second or booster vaccine, please direct them to the NHS website where they can check for upcoming walk-in or bookable appointments. They can also call the Hampshire and Isle of Wight helpline number (0300 561 0018 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm at weekends), who can support.

If people are asking about booking for the autumn booster, please advise them to wait to be contacted by their GP practice or via a national invitation letter.

Published: Sep 6, 2022