URGENT action has been taken by NHS Somerset bosses to resolve a shortage of Covid vaccination clinics in West Somerset.

The NHS kick-started an autumn/winter booster programme last month for people aged 65 years and older.

The programme was brought forward after concern about new variant of the coronavirus, named BA.2.86, and has started to run in conjunction with winter flu vaccinations.

But an absence of West Somerset venues meant many local residents were being directed to clinics in places such as Highbridge, Wellington, Wiveliscombe, Lynton, in Devon, and even as far away as Bristol.

Now, NHS Somerset has announced Covid vaccinations were being offered in Minehead Hospital, Williton Hospital, and ‘some local pharmacies’.

A spokeswoman said: “We are so sorry to hear that residents in the Minehead area are experiencing difficulties accessing appointments for Covid-19 vaccinations.

“The vaccine programme will be running from now until mid-December.

“We would like to reassure everybody in Minehead that there will be enough appointments for everybody eligible to get their vaccines locally this winter.”

The spokeswoman said appointments could be booked through the NHS website here or by calling 119.

She said they could not be booked direct with community hospitals nor with the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board.

“We are adding appointments to the national booking service daily, but these are in high demand,” she said.

“If a suitable appointment is not available at first, please keep trying.”

One resident affected by the lack of local clinics was Luccombe Parish Council chairman Cllr Henry Harington, who was offered a jab if he travelled to either Lynton or Wellington.

Cllr Harington said while people entitled to an annual flu jab were being seen in their local GP surgeries, the Government had outsourced Covid vaccinations ‘to commercial pharmacies in far-flung places miles and miles from Minehead’.

He said anybody who looked for a ‘walk-in’ clinic would have to walk 16 miles to Lynton or 22 miles to Bridgwater to find the nearest ones.

Cllr Harington said: “Only dedicated hikers could reach the distant destinations.

“There is a strong possibility that some of the most vulnerable in the community will forgo their vaccinations putting themselves and their community at risk.”

As well as older people, the Covid booster is being offered to pregnant women, care home residents, frontline health and social care workers, people in clinical risk groups, and those who came into contact with people suffering weakened immune systems.

NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “The NHS flu and covid vaccination programmes have been very effective in protecting those at greatest risk and we will work at speed to ensure they are protected once again this year, starting with care homes and those who are housebound.

“With concerns arising over new Covid variants, it is vital we adapt the programme and bring it forward for those most at risk.

“I strongly urge everybody eligible to come forward as soon as they can for this important protection in colder months.

“NHS staff have worked hard to ensure services are ready for patients to get jabbed at an earlier stage so they can get their protection as soon as possible.”

UK Health Security Agency head of immunisation Dr Mary Ramsay said: “Older people and those in clinical risk groups remain at highest risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

“The rollout of this year’s autumn booster begins in care homes, with more eligible groups being invited to get protected over the coming weeks.

“The vaccine continues to provide the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from Covid-19, so please make sure you get vaccinated when offered and encourage loved ones who are eligible to do the same.”