Covid vaccinations roll-out: latest news for the Sidmouth area

The next phase of the Covid vaccination programme is under way in Devon, covering people aged 18 to 49.

But some of the GP practices that have so far been administering the jabs will not be involved in giving them to this age group – including the Sid Valley Practice.

Patients will be able to arrange an appointment for their first dose of the vaccine via the national booking service when their age group becomes eligible.

Those aged 42 and over are first in the queue, with other age groups due to be invited for their jab in the coming weeks.

The Sid Valley Practice will continue offering second doses to people in the top nine priority groups – over 50s and those in high risk categories.

The 'major contribution' by GP practices

Dr Paul Johnson, a GP and clinical chair at Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "GPs and their teams have made a major contribution to delivering the Covid vaccination programme, while also caring for patients' routine, urgent and Covid care.

"In Devon, two in three people in the adult population have now received their first vaccine dose and we thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication in helping make this happen.

"Alternative arrangements are being put in place in areas where GP-led sites are not continuing to vaccinate in phase two to ensure there is continued local access to the Covid-19 vaccine for their patients aged 18-49. This includes alternative local providers, such as local pharmacies, hospital hubs and larger vaccination centres."

Anyone who has an appointment for a first or second dose of Covid vaccine at the large vaccination centre at Westpoint Exeter should go to the new site at the nearby Greendale Business Park if their appointment is on, or after, May 7.

The centre is relocating to Greendale as Westpoint starts to return to its commercial events calendar following the easing of lockdown restrictions.