Covid-19 vaccine appointments at the Kassam Stadium are being cancelled because they clash with Oxford United home games over the next eight weeks.

A number of people who were scheduled to receive jabs at Oxford’s largest vaccination hub, which opened its doors at the end of January, have now been asked to rebook through the NHS website, despite the city being one of England’s virus hotspots.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which is the lead provider of vaccination centres for the NHS in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire West, has been accused of prioritising sports events over young people’s health amid a huge push to vaccinate people in Oxford amid climbing infection rates.

One of those affected is Adam Packer, a geography and environment student at the University of Oxford.

He was due to receive his second dose, but instead had to reschedule for the day afterwards because his appointment coincided with a match.
Mr Packer said: “It is disappointing for young people like me that our first or second doses are being delayed for a football match."

Guy Leonard, who lives in Oxford, argued that the move was ‘backwards’.
He said Covid-19 vaccinations should be a priority over sports, or another venue should have been sought to stop any cancellations happening.

Which appointments are affected?

The affected appointment dates are August 14, 17, and 28, and Sept 11, 25, and 28.

More appointments have already opened up during August and September to make sure people can book alternatives.

Only people with appointments affected by the games need to rearrange their jabs. Those who have not received a text from the national booking system do not need to worry.

So far, nearly 200,000 jabs have been delivered at the Kassam Stadium as part of the NHS vaccinations programme.

An Oxford Health spokesperson said: “The confirmation of the Oxford United fixture list, and updated Government guidance on fans being able to attend sporting events, means that we are asking people to reschedule their vaccination appointments at the Kassam Stadium if they have booked a slot that now coincides with a home match being played in the next eight weeks.

“Anyone affected by this has been contacted directly via the national booking system.”

A spokesperson for OUFC added: "Oxford United have worked closely with the NHS and vaccination centre -  they were our guests this week to launch the season and will be our Guard of Honour next Saturday at what will be a very emotional day for our fans as they return to games.

"The plan in place is for a 'pop up vaccination centre' on-site on home matchdays, and we will continue to help and support people across Oxfordshire in any way we can."

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