Coronavirus in Portsmouth: Viral WhatsApp message falsely claims anyone can get vaccine at St James' Hospital

Medics at Solent NHS Trust, running the vaccine centre, are concerned as they are vaccinating people following the priority list drawn up by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

It comes as the centre is offering walk-in vaccines seven days a week between 12.30pm and 3.30pm – but only in certain circumstances.

The viral message seen by The News wrongly said: ‘St James Vaccination Centre is accepting walk ins, any age, tomorrow, 1230-1530.’

The walk-in is limited to anyone over 64, and to those who have received a letter from government saying they are clinically extremely vulnerable.

Adults who have Carer's Allowance can also get the vaccine. Anyone attending for the walk-in must bring proof.

This could be a letter, photo identification including date of birth, or a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions detailing Carer's Allowance eligibility.

Carers without the allowance will be contacted by the city or borough councils to be given details of how to get a jab.

As reported, there has been a 28 per cent drop in vaccinations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the week to February 21, when compared to the first week of the month.

David Noyes, chief executive at Solent, said: ‘Eligible people can now choose to either walk-in, or pre-book appointments by visiting nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, where they can choose a time slot and location that suits them, or they can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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