By GP appointments delayed in booster jab rush
A number of health officials have expressed concern following the announcement that routine appointments will be delayed to facilitate the new target of vaccinating all adults by the end of December.
This comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared the new Omicron variant a ‘national emergency’.
He added that booster jabs would now be offered to everyone over the age of 18 in England from today, Wednesday 15th of December.
“I’m afraid we’re now facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant Omicron,” said Mr Johnson.
The Prime Minister also announced the introduction of 42 military planning teams, which will be deployed across every region to help the effort.
But, the NHS has warned that this will affect routine visits.
GPs have been asked to “clinically prioritise their services to free up maximal capacity” to support the vaccination programme.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive said: “NHS staff were already working incredibly hard to deliver COVID vaccines as swiftly as possible but the threat posed by Omicron is grave.
“Scientists are very concerned about the spread of Omicron due to the speed with which it spreads and because two doses do not appear to provide much protection but thankfully, a booster dramatically improves this.
“That is why the Government have asked us to prioritise boosters over other routine care.
“I know NHS staff will again, do everything in our power to rise to this extraordinary challenge and ensure the COVID-19 vaccination programme provides as much protection as possible as we prepare for a new wave of infections that could be even greater than those that have gone before.
!The online booking system is already open to millions of people and will shortly open to all adults – please don’t hesitate with your booking and get boosted now”.
Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, added that the health service will do everything it can to deliver the “hugely ambitious” campaign, but is “already beyond full stretch” and will “need to reprioritise”.
People are being urged continue to attend booked appointments unless told otherwise.
It is thought that critical appointments, such as for cancer, urgent and emergency care, will still be delivered as a priority.
