PEOPLE looking for Covid and flu jabs this winter in Dorset say they are being offered bizarre choices – or none at all.

The NHS locally say despite the initial rush everyone eligible should be able to get a jab by December.

In previous years some GP practices offered over 65s and vulnerable groups flu and covid jabs at the same time.

This year some are offering only flu jabs, but not Covid, leaving patients to make their own arrangements. With most of the mass vaccination centres no longer operating because of fewer eligible groups, smaller surgeries and pharmacies are trying to pick up the demand.

Systems set up to make booking easier, via the phone by calling 119, the NHS app, or various other websites, are currently offering appointments which would mean travelling many miles, often impossible by public transport, especially in rural Dorset.

As one social media comment quipped: “it's not doing much towards tackling global warming!”

Social media platforms locally are currently dotted by people asking for help – unclear how, or where, to get a vaccination.  Many recounted how they have not been able to get an appointment for Covid jabs for several weeks and, often only at place miles away from where they live.

But it seems that perseverance and a bit of luck does pay.

In my own case, as a Dorchester resident, I was initially only offered appointments in Ferndown or New Milton in Hampshire as my nearest available locations.

A further attempt, days later, offered Portland Hospital and Wareham Hospital, the latter I accepted for want of being able to find anything closer, despite the 30-mile round trip it would entail.

Last year I also ended up in Wareham for one of the Covid boosters. Nothing was offered on either occasion in Dorchester, Weymouth or Portland.

Days later I noticed empty chairs for the vaccine queue at a local pharmacy and was told I could have a flu or covid jab immediately or pop in again a day later, which I did. The pharmacy was, and remains, listed on the website as advanced bookings only. I am grateful for their flexibility.

Social media comments point out that the NHS app does not allow you to book a fresh appointment without cancelling an original booking first, leaving some people in a dilemma about the best course of action and, in all probability, with some of the booked slots left un-used.

A spokesperson for Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust which oversees the local vaccination programme said in a statement: “COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available at more than 50 locations across the county, including at GP surgeries, pharmacies and vaccination centres. People can book appointments at these sites via the National Booking Service, some GP practices run a local booking service and will be inviting eligible people directly.

“We work closely with our partner organisations such as councils to help make clinics as accessible as possible, choosing sites where we can that are on public transport routes and also signposting to transport support for anyone who may need help getting to an appointment.

“As we are just beginning the autumn vaccination programme, we expect early appointment slots to fill quickly. The National Booking Service allows local systems to show only four weeks’ worth of appointments at a time, so your preferred clinic may show as full or not appear as an option during that period. If you cannot book at your preferred clinic initially, please do check back the following week when more slots will be made available. There will be plenty of appointments available until early December for everyone eligible to get the jab.”

Healthwatch Dorset, the body representing patients, did not respond to a request for a comment.

For a full list of Dorset locations offering the vaccine, details of how to book and information about transport support, visit the vaccination service webpage at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccination-service.