POP-UP clinics will be set up in Basingstoke in the coming days to help with Covid booster vaccination rollout, it has been revealed.

Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is planning to organise pop-up clinics at very short notice in a bid to offer booster doses to all adults by the end of January.

The decision comes after The Gazette reported how some people in the town were being sent to the likes of Andover, Fleet or Reading to receive their top-up doses in recent months.

Currently, Basingstoke residents get booster jabs only at Jameson House Chineham Court on Lutyens Close in Lychpit.

A spokesperson for Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG said: “We are doing all we can to increase vaccination capacity as quickly as we can as we work to ensure everyone aged 18 and over is offered a booster dose by the end of January. This includes standing up pop-up clinics at very short notice.

“Our services continue to be extremely busy. We understand the frustrations of people who have experienced any delay in being able to get their booster jab. We currently have a good supply of vaccine and access will be expanded as quickly as possible.

“In-line with national guidance, booster jabs will continue to be offered in priority order so that the most vulnerable people are protected first, while also increasing capacity to vaccinate everyone eligible in a shorter space of time. “

Previously, more than 80 people who volunteered at a Covid vaccination clinic at Basingstoke Fire Station had set up an online petition calling for the town to get another facility to help with booster jabs.

Rima Amin, one of the kind-hearted residents who gave up their time to help out at the highly successful clinic at the town's fire station, told the Gazette: "The petition is calling for more facilities to be set up in the Basingstoke area. We think Jameson House is doing an absolutely incredible job but we are concerned they may be at capacity with the number of residents struggling to get appointments.

"The provision isn't good enough so we are calling for an additional centre to help with the rollout. We also know that there isn't a walk-in centre.

"There is a big difference in terms of the ability of people to get their vaccine and we know that also as people get a letter to get their booster from the NHS they have been directed outside of the county.

"We can see the impact of the closures has meant that people are struggling to get an appointment."

Basingstoke Gazette: Rima AminRima Amin

You can view the petition here.

Basingstoke Fire Station, which was run by Solent NHS Trust, closed in September. However, there is now more pressure on the vaccination system as the booster jab rollout is ramped up, whilst 16-17 years olds become eligible for second doses and anyone over the age of 12 can get a first dose.