ANDOVER’S Covid vaccination centre has been forced to stop offering walk-in booster jabs due to limited supply.

The vaccination centre in the Chantry Centre halted walk-in appointments for those seeking a booster dose on Monday, after a surge in demand as more age groups became eligible.

Health bosses said that the site, one of the only in Hampshire that was still offering walk-in appointments, was switching to increase the number of bookable appointments.

Dr Andrew Baring, from the Andover Primary Care Network (PCN), said: “Appointments at the vaccination centre in Andover are now available to book and we are looking to offer really significant numbers of appointments in the coming days. We will be offering appointments to our local population so that everyone who is eligible can be protected, without having the inconvenience and anxiety of queuing.”

The PCN had previously said that the centre was “not a mass vaccination centre and are therefore restricted by our vaccine supply and by the generosity of our staff”.

Residents are still able to book appointments at the site, and health bosses have reassured residents that there is enough supply for everyone over the age of 18 to get a booster dose by December 31.

It comes as hospitality businesses speak of their worry as cancellations rise in the face of fears of the Omicron variant. Nelay Tuncer, of Captain Mezze’s Fish Bar, said that he had seen several cancellations in recent weeks, citing Covid-related reasons.

“For restaurants, the Christmas period is the most important time to make money. Usually it would be busier than it is now,” he told The Advertiser.

You can read the full story in this week's paper. Also in this week’s edition:

  • The mother of an Andover boy with special needs has spoken out about her gratitude for a local student who recently won her battle to open up a supported living home in the town. Kate Ivey’s son, 21-year-old Connor Hitchings, was the inspiration behind the vision of Maddison Taylor, 23, who applied earlier this year to convert her family home, Creepers Cottage, into a supported living home for adults with additional needs.
  • Hampshire County Council has been ‘named and shamed’ for failing to pay its lowest-paid staff minimum wage.
  • People are being urged to cancel their Covid-19 vaccination appointment if they can no longer attend, after thousands failed to turn up for their life-saving jab. Figures from NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) show that almost 2,000 slots were missed at its vaccination centres in the last week alone.
  • An inquest has been opened into the death of a man from Andover who died at a mental health hospital.
  • An Andover grandmother has released a book which documents her memories as a child growing up during WW2.
  • History of Wykeham Club in Andover and a girls' school that used to run in that building.
  • An Andover primary school is making use of its brand new tipi classroom, which has now been erected in its field.
  • The family of an Andover mother who tragically passed away due to epilepsy earlier this month have launched an appeal to help give her “the send off she deserves”.
  • An ANdover company has scooped a top award for its support of the local community during lockdown.
  • PLUS: Two pages of YOUR letters
  • PICTURES: Free family projection show in town
  • An eight-page puzzle special
  • Entertainment news
  • Sports news
  • And much, much more

Out now! Just 90p

To arrange a home delivery to get The Advertiser sent straight to your door, call 0800 7314 900 or 0845 7078 150 or email deliveries@newsquest.co.uk. The first six weeks delivery charge is free.

To sign up to a digital subscription service to never miss a story and to get access to everything we write online, visit andoveradvertiser.co.uk/subscribe. Subscriptions start from £2 for two months.