People who booked a Covid vaccine in Oxford through a shared link have been asked to cancel their appointment unless they are in a priority group.

The Churchill Hospital is one of 50 hubs which became the first in the UK last week to offer the Pfizer jab.

Patients aged over 80, as well as frontline NHS and social care staff were among the initial people able to get a vaccinated.

Despite not being contacted or in a priority group, a 32-year-old, who only wanted to be identified as Max, said he had booked an appointment at the Churchill after having a link shared with him by a friend. 

ALSO READ: Oxfordshire's first GP Covid vaccine hubs revealed

He said: "I was suspicious but thought that maybe due to the difficulty of getting the vaccine around the country they wanted to see what demand was from different age groups etc so I booked an appointment. 

"Immediately I got a text confirming my appointment." 

Oxford Mail: A screenshot of the confirmation text message for a Covid vaccination in OxfordA screenshot of the confirmation text message for a Covid vaccination in Oxford

He added: "I have since heard from my friend that apparently it's a scam and the Churchill have been inundated with calls asking them to confirm appointments."

When contacted, however, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Churchill, said a real booking link had been wrongly shared.

Oxford Mail: Patient James Fowler receives his Covid vaccine at the Churchill last week. Picture: Oxford University HospitalsPatient James Fowler receives his Covid vaccine at the Churchill last week. Picture: Oxford University Hospitals

David Walliker, chief digital officer at the trust said: “I’m really pleased that so many people are keen to get their vaccination.

"However, we became aware over the weekend that a link to our booking system was being circulated when it should not have been, and we have since removed the links."

He said on Monday the trust sent out a message to 'a number of people' asking them to cancel their appointment unless they were in the priority groups.

ALSO READ: New variant of Covid found in south of England 'may spread faster'

These are; anyone over 80 years old, a resident or worker in a care home, a care worker, or an NHS worker who are in a high-risk clinically vulnerable group.

Mr Walliker added: “We have also changed the links so they no longer work.

"Patients will be contacted directly and invited for vaccination when appropriate.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445