The first GP-led Primary Care Networks (PCNs) began COVID-19 vaccinations for Oxfordshire's 80 year olds and over this week in Abingdon, Chipping Norton and Henley-on-Thames. 

A further four PCNs will join the vaccination programme later this week: Banbury and three in Oxford (Oxford Central, East Oxford, and OX3, which covers Barton and Headington). 

Priority patients are being invited to book for the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine, with vaccinations starting as soon as supplies of the vaccine have been delivered. 

Those invited are people aged 80 and over, in line with the recommendation from the  Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Everyone will need two doses of the vaccine to get the best protection against the virus. Each dose must be at least 21 days apart.

Patients are asked to wait until they are contacted by their GP practice – they should not call the NHS or their GP practice about COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

More GP-led PCNs in Oxfordshire will be joining the vaccination programme in phases and more details will be provided as soon as they are available.

Dr Kiren Collison, GP and clinical chair of Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "This is the next step in our plans to roll out the vaccine across the county.

"The vaccination programme is very complex and we are working hard to ensure our most vulnerable patients are protected as quickly as possible. Other age groups and cohorts will be offered the vaccination in a phased way, in line with national priorities.

"Meanwhile, we can continue to keep ourselves and others safe by socially distancing, wearing a face covering and following the hand hygiene guidance.”

For more information:

• Information on the vaccine is available on the www.nhs.uk website
• Public Health England (PHE) has created a number of leaflets for patients which can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-vaccination-programme. These leaflets will also be available soon in a number of different languages, as well as Braille and Easy Read versions, and a British Sign Language video.
• A set of FAQs are also available here.