Sheffield GP ‘still trying to reassure patients’ as one in five unsure about Covid jabs

A Sheffield GP says he is still trying to reassure about one in five people who are yet to take up the offer to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
By Robert Cumber
Published 8th Feb 2021, 09:03 BST
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Dr Ollie Hart is clinical director of the Heeley-Plus Primary Care Network, which has given thousands of people their coronavirus jabs at The Matthews Practice in Highfield.

He says everyone in that area who is aged 70 or above, clinically extremely vulnerable, living or working in a care home for older people, or a frontline health or social care employee should now have been offered their first dose.

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Dr Ollie Hart says people should speak to their GP if they have any concerns about getting their Covid jabDr Ollie Hart says people should speak to their GP if they have any concerns about getting their Covid jab
Dr Ollie Hart says people should speak to their GP if they have any concerns about getting their Covid jab
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But he is concerned that while around 80 per cent of people within those top four priority groups have taken up the offer so far, some 10 per cent have said no and another 10 per cent are ‘still a bit undecided’.

He has urged anyone with any doubts to speak to their GP or to someone who has been vaccinated, such as a friend or family member, and may be able to set their mind at ease.

"There do still appear to be a few myths floating around about the vaccines not working or the Government putting a chip in them, which we’re having to combat almost one conversation at a time,” he said.

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Dr Ollie Hart says Sheffield is on course to hit the Government's target for everyone in the top four priority groups to have been offered a Covid vaccination by mid-FebruaryDr Ollie Hart says Sheffield is on course to hit the Government's target for everyone in the top four priority groups to have been offered a Covid vaccination by mid-February
Dr Ollie Hart says Sheffield is on course to hit the Government's target for everyone in the top four priority groups to have been offered a Covid vaccination by mid-February

"I also get the sense that what’s been happening is so overwhelming that a lot of people are struggling to cope, and when you’re fearful and not sure what to believe the natural instinct is to just do nothing.

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"Perhaps as they speak to more people who’ve had the vaccine and see that it’s working they will get the confidence to come forward and have it themselves.

"If people are worried and want to talk about it with their GP, we’re really happy to do that.”

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Dr Hart added that take-up had been much better in more affluent postcodes and was in the high-90s in parts of the city.

He said the city remains on course to hit the Government’s target of offering all those in the top-four priority groups a vaccine by mid-February, and he encouraged anyone aged over 70 who has not already been invited and fears they have been missed to get in touch with their GP.

Related topics:Ollie HartGovernmentSheffieldHighfield