A shot in the arm

On the day, local GPs invited patients in the over 80s priority group to attend to have their first Covid-19 jab.

The GP practices that have been inviting patients to the Cathedral on Saturday are Salisbury Medical Practice, Harcourt Medical Centre, Three Chequers Medical Practice, Downton Surgery and Whiteparish Surgery, as well as Sarum Wellbeing Collective.

Director of Music David Halls and Assistant Director John Challenger provided a programme of music throughout the day on the famous Father Willis organ.

The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury said:

“We are proud to be playing our part in the life-saving vaccination programme, which offers real hope in these difficult times. The staff of our local NHS and their patients will receive a warm welcome to their Cathedral, and we assure them of our constant prayer.”

Dr Dan Henderson, Co-Clinical Director for Sarum South Primary Care Network said:

“It’s great to be further expanding the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Wiltshire. Today marks another step towards getting our lives back to normal. I understand that people are keen to get their jabs but please don’t call your doctor or the hospital asking about when you will get an appointment, we are following the priority order set out by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the NHS will be in touch when it is your turn to be vaccinated. The huge vaccine programme is a marathon not a sprint but we will get to everyone.”

Only patients that have been invited by the NHS should attend and are asked to only arrive 5 minutes before their appointment time. Patients not invited should wait to be contacted by the NHS.