CONCERNS have been raised about a medical centre in Oxford, which has closed its doors for Covid-19 vaccinations, despite the rise of the Delta variant, which originated in India.

People can now no longer receive their first or second dose of a vaccine at the Botley Medical Centre’s branch surgery in Kennington.

Instead, they are being directed miles away to the Kassam Stadium and even GP sites at Chipping Norton and Faringdon.

While a third of people in Oxford have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, there are still areas with low uptake, the latest figures show.

Data from up until May 23 reveals that areas with the lowest coverage are Oxford Central with 26.1 per cent, East Central Oxford with 41.5 per cent and Headington with 44.6 per cent.

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Even more, Jacquie Pearce-Gervis, founder of Oxford’s Patient Voice group – the county’s health watchdog – pointed out that the move to halt vaccinations at the practice has caused anxiety to some patients.

She added: “I am not sure who made the decision to suspend the Covid-19 jabs at Kennington.

“People were being urged to get their jabs but could not do so.

“Some people had no access to transport.

“In so many cases it has been made very difficult for patients and we hope that lessons will have been learnt should this this happen again.”

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One patient based in Oxford, who wishes to remain anonymous, was offered a second vaccine in Chipping Norton – 14 miles each way from her home.

The 39-year-old woman, who is partially blind, was told she cannot receive her follow-up jab in Botley, and finding a suitable appointment took three weeks.

Dr Aintzane Ballestero, senior partner at the Botley Medical Centre, commented on the concerns of patients: “Our team at Botley Medical Centre and our branch surgery at Kennington want to ensure that ‘normal’ services can be offered as much as possible to our patients, now that the most at risk people in our community have received their first and second jabs, thanks to the efforts of the practice team and our fantastic volunteers.”

Dr Ballestero advised that patients who are eligible, but have not yet had it, now have two options.

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They can either book through the National Booking Service online or by calling 119.

Depending on the availability of appropriate vaccines for their age groups, they will be offered appointments at a range of local sites, including the Kassam Stadium and pharmacies in Abingdon and Oxford – two of seven community pharmacies offering vaccinations across the county.

New appointment slots at these locations are added regularly.

People can also receive their vaccines through the White Horse Medical Practice in Faringdon, which is part of the White Horse Botley Primary Care Network and will be contacted about this option.