Peterborough GPs issue important clarification to patients offered Covid vaccines miles from city

Covid-19 vaccine being administered at Peterborough City Hospital.

Octagon Medical Practice has clarified the situation for many people that have received a letter from the NHS advising them to go online or call 119 to book a Covid-19 vaccination, only to be offered a jab miles from their home.

One 86-year-old man told the Peterborough Telegraph that despite living in Eye, the closest place he was offered the vaccine was in Boston, other options available included Bedford and Norwich.

Octagon has now moved to clarify that booking in this way is only for the major vaccination hubs in the country and that should you not wish to accept the appointment offered, you will still be contacted by your local surgery.

A statement from Octagon said: “We are aware that there is some confusion among patients due to the fact that the National Covid Vaccination Service are sending out letters to patients that are eligible for a Covid vaccination, this letter gives instructions about how to book your vaccination.

“When you contact the National service they are only able to book you an appointment at one of the National Vaccination Centres which has led to some of our Patients being offered appointments as far away as Bedford or Norwich.

“If you are happy to travel then you may wish to accept this option that is entirely your decision. However you do NOT need to travel to one of the National Centres if you choose not to. If you would prefer to get your vaccination locally then Octagon have two vaccination centres one at the Jenner Practice in Whittlesey and 1 at the Thomas Walker Practice in Peterborough.

“We have a dedicated team of staff that will contact you when it is time for your cohort of patients e.g. over 80’s, over 70’s to receive their vaccine and offer you an appointment. If we have a mobile number for you then we will send you a text detailing how to book your appointment, but please do not worry if you don’t have a mobile or a mobile that you can access the internet on as we will telephone you if you do not book an appointment after receiving a text.

“We will then send a letter to anyone we have been unable to contact by telephone. We are unable to say when we will be vaccinating each group as we have to wait for the go ahead from the CCG to begin each cohort.

“This problem with Patients receiving invitations in two ways is Nationwide and out of our control however we understand that the issue is being looked at by the Government.”

Non-Octagon patients will also be contacted by their own surgeries and it was revealed yesterday (January 22) that a new mass vaccination hub is to open in Peterborough next week.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the plans and the Peterborough Telegraph understands that the Urgent Care Centre on Thorpe Road is one of the sites being considered.

Figures released this week show that Peterborough is among the places in the country with the lowest percentages of over 80s having received a vaccine.

As of January 17, just 45.7 percent (20,474 out of 40,705) of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire’s over 80s had received at least one dose of vaccine.

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Where Peterborough residents who are registered with GP surgeries will be vaccinated