Vaccination teams across Gloucestershire have been widely praised as yet another major Covid-19 vaccination milestone is surpassed in the county, with 500,000 doses given.

Over 150,000 second doses have also been given in Gloucestershire, which NHS leaders have described as a 'remarkable effort.'

If they have not already been in contact, local GP services will be in touch as soon as supplies allow offering first dose appointment slots locally to people between the ages of 40 and 49 at one of the ten Primary Care Network GP-led vaccination centres across the county.

Residents are politely asked not to call their GP surgery for their first dose of vaccine – the surgery will be in contact.

People aged 40-49 years can be reassured that they will not need to travel outside of the county for their Covid-19 vaccinations if they do not wish to.

Many people in the 40-49 age range will have also received a national communication – a text or letter – from the NHS giving them the option to use the national booking website: www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination or phone 119 to book a vaccination appointment at other available services.

Through the national booking website or phone number, residents can choose to make an appointment at one of three pharmacy locations in the county – Boots in Gloucester, Badhams Pharmacy in Bishops Cleeve and Cainscross Pharmacy in Stroud, subject to availability.

Some out of county services/centres may be available to certain residents in priority groups (based on where they live) through the national booking system.

The local NHS is also looking to further increase the range of additional vaccination services and models available in the county.

Dr Andy Seymour added: "We know people are very keen to receive their first doses, in particular people aged between 40 and 49 without underlying health conditions.

"NHS vaccination teams in Gloucestershire will be progressing through this age group as quickly as possible, as vaccine supplies allow.

"We want to reassure residents that local GP services will contact them to schedule appointments and they do not need to call their surgery at this time.

"Local vaccination teams continue to stand ready, with the infrastructure in place, to vaccinate as many residents as possible, as quickly as possible, and we expect supplies will increase in the near future."

Professor Steve Hams, chief nurse at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and senior responsible officer for the Gloucestershire Covid-19 vaccination programme said: "I would like to personally thank all those who have played their part in this superb vaccination effort in Gloucestershire.

"It is heartening to see that positive progress continues to be made by local vaccination teams and in particular a great many more people who are at greater risk from the virus are receiving their second doses across Gloucestershire.

"We understand that younger adults could well be feeling somewhat frustrated as they wait patiently for their first dose, but the service is poised to step back up closer to capacity as additional supplies come on stream."