Gloucestershire has already delivered over 145,000 second Covid-19 vaccines and the county's GPs are continuing to urge residents who have had their first vaccination to attend their second dose appointments as planned.

The large majority of people aged 50 years or over and people with underlying health conditions have had their first doses, and it is important that when the time comes they attend their second dose appointment to get the best long-term protection from the virus.

Andy Seymour, clinical chair of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "A single dose of the vaccine provides a good level of protection from Covid-19, but the second dose is essential to ensure the best possible protection.

"Second dose vaccines have been allocated for every person who has had their first dose, so please do attend your appointment. This 'top-up' will maximise your protection from the virus."

People who received their first dose through a GP service will be contacted to receive their second dose.

Those who booked their first appointment through the national booking service may have booked both their first and second appointments at the same time, and can log in at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine to be reminded of their arrangements.

Anyone who hasn't received an appointment for their second vaccine 11 weeks after their first appointment should contact their GP surgery.

Over two-thirds of people across Gloucestershire in the 45-49 age group have now received their first dose. However, despite the good supply to support second doses, availability of vaccine for first doses has become more limited for the time being, meaning that the speed of the roll-out to people in the latest priority group is not as rapid.

Local GP services will be in touch as soon as supplies allow to offer an appointment slot locally to people between the ages of 42 and 49 at one of the ten Primary Care Network GP-led vaccination centres across the county. Residents are asked not to call their GP surgery for their first dose of vaccine, as the surgery will be in contact.

People aged 42-49 will not need to travel outside the county for their Covid-19 vaccination if they do not wish to.

Dr Andy Seymour added: "We know people are very keen to receive their first doses, in particular people aged between 42 and 49 without underlying health conditions.

"NHS vaccination teams in Gloucestershire will be progressing through this age group as soon as possible, as vaccine supplies pick up. We want to reassure residents that local GP services will, in due course, contact them to schedule appointments and they do not need to call their surgery at this time.

"Local vaccination teams continue to stand ready, with the infrastructure in place, to vaccinate as many residents as possible, as quickly as possible, as soon as we receive additional supplies."

Professor Steve Hams, chief nurse at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and senior responsible officer for the Gloucestershire Covid-19 vaccination programme, said:

"It is heartening to see that positive progress continues to be made by local vaccination teams and, in particular, a great many more people who are at greater risk from the virus are receiving their second doses across Gloucestershire.

"We understand that younger adults could well be feeling somewhat frustrated as they wait patiently for their first dose, but the service is poised to step back up closer to capacity as additional supplies come on stream."