HEALTH bosses running the Covid-19 vaccination programme at Newton Abbot racecourse anticipate having hit the 100,000 jab mark by Christmas.

Medics operating the appointment system for patients from Newton Abbot and the surrounding area say the roll-out is going really well.

Dr Ed Isaacs, one of the GPs leading the service, says they are seeing more and more younger people coming forward since then have become eligible.

He said: ‘Everyone is very positive and we are seeing a lot of 18 plus teenagers since they have been eligible. We are administering vaccines strictly in accordance with JCVI guidelines.’

To anyone still unsure or unvaccinated, Dr Isaacs advised: ‘It is entirely their own choice but there is guidance on the Government and NHS websites which can offer reassurance.

‘The Government, national health advisers and scientists say we should have it.

‘In the next week, certainly by Christmas, we should have reached more than 100,000 people.

‘I think people in Newton Abbot and the wider area are very keen to be vaccinated.’

Staff at the centre are averaging about 1,000 vaccinations a day and Dr Isaacs says morale is still ‘very high’.

There have been no issues with so-called ‘anti-vaxxers’ locally despite issues nationally.

The GP-led operation covers seven surgeries in Newton Abbot, Kingskwerswell and Bovey Tracey all part of two primary care groups: Templer and Newton West. This is a total of 75,000 patients to be vaccinated.

Vaccines are administered by registered vaccinators, these include current working doctors who work at the racecourse on their days off and nurses returning to the profession specifically to help out with the vaccination programme.

Dr Isaacs paid tribute to the volunteers who have helped make the system run smoothly.

Dart Vale and Newton Abbot Rotary Clubs have been helping to marshal the car park while healthcare group Kerswella have been organising the appointment system. 7

Dr Isaacs said: ‘Their support and help are invaluable and has been throughout.

‘At the beginning of the roll-out they were putting themselves at risk while Covid levels were high and we were just starting to administer the vaccines.’

He said patients were happy to be getting their vaccines and the volunteers have received donations of cakes and biscuits for which the volunteers have been ‘very grateful’.

‘It’s been extremely busy,’ said Clinical Nurse Manager Chloe Nightingale who had been administering injections throughout Friday.

‘It been coming more in peaks and troughs for those using the walk-in system, however we’ve had our fabulous staff to keep everyone moving through and we’re grateful to all involved in the operation.’

Ben Crew, from Kingsteignton, said: ‘When I saw that they were offering a walk-in booster clinic on Facebook and I had the day off it seemed ideal,’ he said. ‘It was quicker this time than when I went to have my first and seconds jabs.’

The racecourse vaccination centre is open from 8am to 6pm. Bookings can be made through the NHS website.