Regional clinical team update on how many coronavirus vaccines delivered but add that no local pharmacies involved in new roll out

In a media release the Clinical Commissioning Group which covers Midsomer and Radstock has announced that pharmacies are now being used in the coronavirus vaccine roll out - but none locally.

From today, (February 4) three pharmacies in the region will begin offering the vaccine to those people who are currently eligible.

The pharmacies currently offering the coronavirus vaccine are Shaunaks Pharmacy in Westbury, The Pharmacy in Ludgershall and Avicenna Pharmacy in Swindon.

Due to space constraints, the Pharmacy in Ludgershall will base its vaccine clinic at the nearby Memorial Hall.

These three sites will now appear on the national coronavirus vaccine booking system, along with the large vaccination centres currently located at Bath Racecourse and Salisbury City Hall.

People invited to use the national booking system can choose the venue that is closest to their home or, alternatively, wait for an appointment slot at a clinic run by a GP practice.

The introduction of the pharmacy sites takes the total number of vaccine clinics in the region to 27, which is made up of 19 GP-led venues, two large vaccination centres and three hospital-based hubs.

Angela Mavalla, Lead Pharmacist at Avicenna Pharmacy, said: "Pharmacies are within walking distance of many people's homes, and I know that some of our local residents, particularly those who are less mobile, will appreciate having a choice of a more local venue for their vaccine.

Unlike the flu vaccine, which is available on request from many local pharmacies, Chief Executive: Tracey Cox added that coronavirus vaccine remains available only to those people who have been contacted by the NHS.

So far, more than 100,000 people across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

Any person within these groups who has not yet received an invitation should wait to be contacted, and not worry about being forgotten.

The NHS in the local area is making good progress in vaccinating those people who are currently eligible, and is on track to meet the government's target of offering the vaccine to every person in top four priority groups by the middle of February.

More information about the rollout of the vaccine in the local area, including a detailed list of commonly asked questions and answers, is available online at www.bswccg.nhs.uk.