York GP: "I think the booster target is achievable and we have to do it"
Doctor Rumina Önaç from the Old School Medical Group in York says NHS teams are working flat out to offer a booster jab to all adults by the end of 2021.
NHS teams in York say they're working extremely hard across all sectors to meet the Government target with the booster campaign.
The Government has said it aims to offer booster jabs to every adult by the end of December.
The target had previously been the end of January, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster before the new year.
Doctor Rumina Önaç is a GP for the Old School Medical Group in York, and is the RCGP Yorkshire Faculty Sustainability Lead.
"We're really excited to be able to offer such an accelerated programme here in York. We've got an incredible team of clinicians, volunteers and administrators - everyone is really working flat out.
"I can understand how worried people can be about rising hospitalisations and growing cases. Understandably people are frightened and getting quite down about it. There is pressure to reach the targets, but we've got an incredible team in York to help us.
"All of my colleagues will be able to attest to clinics appearing left, right and centre. It's been incredible with the number of people we've been able to get through. This virus affects everybody and healthcare workers are not immune to getting Covid.
"Covid has been through my own household and many of my colleagues have experienced it. We're well aware of the pressures that can cause on the NHS. We're all desperate to contribute wherever we can, and GP surgeries are providing clinicians and people to help with administrative tasks.
"The vaccination hub at Askham Bar will be open later and will start up earlier in the morning.____"
Doctor Önaç is hopeful of reaching the Government's target of offering a booster to every adult by the end of 2021.
She says it'll take a great collective effort to do it:
"We have to do it. The amount of effort that's gone into setting up extra pop-up clinics and extending opening hours has been absolutely immense. It's something we're really good at doing here in York. We're really in the vanguard of the vaccination programme nationally, and we've been able to learn from our colleagues around the country and support them.
"People in Yorkshire are known for their spirit and their ability to come together in a crisis. Book a booster as soon as you're eligible to do so. Some clinics are also offering walk-ins, and I'd say you should stop in if you're nearby.
"We absolutely don't want to waste vaccines, so please bring your card and check your eligibility status. Book if you can - please keep trying as you will be able to get a slot. More slots are being added every day.
"I'd also like to encourage the public to continue with the testing programme as advised, so please don't take an LFT if you've got symptoms - save those for key workers and essential healthcare staff. GP staff have to test every few days to keep you safe.
"PCR tests are there for you if you have symptoms. They're available the same day at the Poppleton Centre and also on York University Heslington site. The results can come back the next day as there's an incredibly quick turnaround.
"If you ring up your GP with respiratory symptoms please don't be surprised or offended if we ask you if you've done a PCR test. That's because if we need to bring you down to the surgery and examine you, it's much safer for everyone if we can say that you've got a negative PCR.
"We can all contribute to making sure that all adults get vaccinated".