Dorset residents' struggles to book Covid-19 booster jabs

The Covid-19 booster programme, which aims to provide further protection from the virus, has been under way across Dorset and the rest of the country for several weeks after a mass vaccination scheme that has seen more than 40 million people receive both Covid-19 jabs.

People are invited to book their Covid-19 booster appointment five months (152 days) after their second dose, meaning they could receive their top up vaccine on the day they become eligible at six months.

But residents from across Dorset have reported issues trying to book their booster appointment, with many left ‘frustrated’ by the online booking system and 119 service, with some being told to go as far as Salisbury to get their jab.

One woman from Dorchester told Dorset Echo how she had rung 26 times for her booster jab, but couldn’t book one. She added that her disabled neighbour had also struggled to book an appointment.

Elderly woman told to travel to Salisbury for jab

Jess Tubman (left) with her mum Joyce Hardie (right) has shared her experience of trying to get a Covid-19 booster jab booked for her mum. Picture: Jess Tubman

Jess Tubman, who lives in Lancashire, was forced to intervene when her Wareham-based mother Joyce Hardie was unable to book her booster jab.

She said: “She was due her booster and we were having a really frustrating time to get through on 119.

“It would take 20 minutes to get through to someone. The first time they told her to call back which was frustrating, which she did but there was nothing available in her Wareham.

“They were telling her to go to Salisbury.”

Mrs Tubman was eventually able to book an appointment for her 72-year-old mother in Bournemouth.

She said: “It was frustrating as on the news they were saying people weren’t taking up the booster jabs and figures were saying they really should, but we experienced these issues trying to book the appointment.

“I just felt if elderly people didn’t have people looking out for them, what they are going to do?

“A lot of my mum’s friends are sitting at home waiting for GP letter like they did with the original Covid-19 jab, but that’s not happening this time.

“There’s a bit of confusion.”

Resident shares his jab struggles before finally booking appointment 

One Portland resident, who did not wish to be named, said he ‘spent all day trying to book a booster jab’.

He recalled: “I received an email from NHS saying that I am now eligible to book my booster jab.

“I am 69 years old and have a lung problem. I very much would like to have my booster jab as soon as possible.

“Initially I tried the online booking service, the nearest vaccination centre was 27 miles away and others more than 35 miles away. Each date for the next five days at any of these centres was unavailable."

He added: “I then gave up and tried the 119 call centre. The operator must also have the same online booking service as the operator offered me all of the same vaccination centres that I tried online and she also could not find any available dates.

“The phone call ended with her telling me to try tomorrow or the day after.”

'Extremely high demand' for booster jabs, say NHS 

Dr Andy Rutland, Dorset GP and clinical lead for the Dorset Covid-19 vaccination programme, encouraged residents to persist with booking their Covid-19 booster jabs and pre-book their appointments as soon as possible.

A spokesman for the Dorset Covid-19 vaccination programme said: "In line with national guidance, we are working extremely hard to roll out the Covid-19 booster with almost 160,000 people in Dorset now vaccinated.

"We are seeing very high demand for boosters as the number of eligible people increases and patients can either wait for their GP practice to contact them or book via the national booking service (NBS) for their booster.

"We know that demand through the national booking system is extremely high and that this is creating difficulties for some people trying to book a vaccine in their local area.

"Available appointments continue to be added to the national booking system and we would advise people to continue to keep checking for new appointment slots.

"We are keen to encourage patients to book their booster appointment for a time near to six-month’s following the second dose, but would reassure them that the six-month interval is a minimum recommended period and receiving the booster slightly later will still provide them with protection.

"The important thing is that people continue to come forward and take up the offer as soon as suitable appointments become available.

"We’d like to thank people for their patience during this very busy time for the NHS as we deliver the largest vaccination programme in our history."

• Have you had any issues booking your Covid booster jab? Got a story to share? Email us at newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk