A STAGGERING 46,000 Covid vaccines have been given in just four days across Dorset, latest figures have shown.

Between December 20 and 23, 46,555 doses of the vaccine were given across the county, Dorset Healthcare University said.

By comparison, 41,900 vaccines were given the week commencing December 6 with 69,414 issued the following seven days.

Read more: Covid hospitalisations currently steady as Omicron spreads in Dorset

That means since the effort to ramp up the vaccination programme, a total of 95,396 doses have been administered.

With well over 30,000 doses given on the weekend of December 18 and 19 alone.

Dorset HealthCare’s Director of Nursing, Quality and Therapies Dawn Dawson said: “I’m so proud of the way we’ve responded in Dorset – this has involved people from across the NHS, local authorities and voluntary organisations. It’s a huge team effort.

“Thank you to everyone who’s come forward for their jab – as the Omicron variant is rapidly spreading now we all need to do everything we can to protect ourselves and each other. That includes wearing masks, letting in fresh air and testing regularly.”

Read more: Covid jabs taking place in Blandford between Christmas and New Year

Dr Andy Rutland, clinical lead for Dorset’s vaccination programme, added: “Even if you have a vaccination booking in January you can walk in now instead and be vaccinated earlier. Bookings for January are strong and centres are set to be busy after the festive break so get in early if you can.”

Sentinel House centre in Poole will be closed on both December 24 and 27 to ensure sufficient staffing at remaining centres.

There are sites open all of next week (including bank holidays), include Vespasian House in Dorchester, King’s Park, Bournemouth, and numerous primary care-run sites.

The large centres are closed on New Year’s Day and all re-open on January 2.

Both adults and children can take up the walk-in offer – children aged 12-15 can attend the three larger centres at King’s Park Hospital, Bournemouth, Sentinel House, Poole and Vespasian House, Dorchester.

They must be accompanied by an adult who can give consent for them to vaccinated.

Parents can now book second vaccinations for children aged 12-15 who are eligible via the NHS national booking system.

The sites and dates where walk-ins are available are shown here: Vaccination sites in Dorset – NHS Dorset CCG. You can also see them on the national grab a jab website.