SECOND doses of the coronavirus vaccine are now being given in Herefordshire, with an NHS leader urging anyone called up to head to the centre.

The NHS says the second dose acts as a "booster" jab to enhance immunity to Covid-19 and offer a greater protection against infection.

Regardless of whether a patient has had the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech jab, a second dose will need to be given around 12 weeks after the first.

Dr Mike Hearne, a partner at Fownhope Medical Practice and Managing Director of Taurus Healthcare, the federation of the county's GP surgeries, urged people to stick to their appointments.

"It's important to emphasise that we are working hard to schedule everyone in for their second dose," Dr Hearne said.

"If you haven't yet received an invitation to attend for your second dose, please don't call your GP surgery or a vaccination centre.

"You will receive an invite to have your vaccine within 12 weeks and we are asking for your patience as we get everyone booked in.

"If you were given an appointment for your second jab when you attended for your first, please do arrive on the date and time specified.

"The date for your second jab is specifically aligned with the first dose you received and therefore cannot be changed other than in exceptional circumstances."

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Dr Gemma Moore, a Worcestershire GP and clinical director for Staywell Healthcare said: "It is important that people attend for their second dose vaccination when they are invited to do so.

"While a single dose of the vaccine does provide a good level of protection from the effects of Covid-19, the second dose is very important to ensure the strongest possible protection.

"We are also asking everyone to prioritise attending their second dose appointment, because these are timed in accordance with your first dose to ensure you can receive it within12 weeks."

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She added: "You will need to attend at the same location as your first vaccination (or the location indicated on your appointment confirmation if this has been changed) as the vaccine supply is ordered by where you received your first dose.

 "Missing your second dose appointment also means leaving a vacant appointment that could be used for someone else, or could mean the vaccine is potentially wasted."

Overall in Herefordshire, 77,839 first doses have been given up to March 7. That was up by 6,644 compared to figures covering up to February 28.

Vaccinations are currently being given at five GP hubs in the county, which are in Hereford, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye, as well as the mass sites at Hereford's Elgar House and Malvern's Three Counties Showground.