PEOPLE in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight are being urged to keep their Covid-19 jab appointments wherever possible after 8,296 slots were missed in a week.This figure only includes appointments made via the National Booking Service – the overall total is likely to be far higher as missed appointments at GP surgeries are recorded separately by each practice.The appeal comes as dedicated health and care teams continue to do all they can to help ensure every adult across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is offered a booster jab by December 31.This includes jabs at walk-in clinics, GP practices, outreach clinics, hospital hubs, pharmacies and mass vaccination centres.Dr Matt Nisbet, GP and clinical lead for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “We know that eligible people are keen to get vaccinated as soon as possible."We continue to work hard to scale up capacity right across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight but particularly in the areas of greatest need, based on evidence, to help ensure our communities are protected against the virus.“To ensure we can offer the vaccine to as many people as possible, it is really important that anyone with a booked appointment attends, or cancels or moves their slot if they no longer need it for any reason.”Anyone eligible who has not yet taken up the offer of a first, second or booster dose is strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible to ensure they are as protected as possible from the virus.The offer of a Covid-19 jab is not time limited so anyone invited can have the vaccine – even if they have previously declined and changed their mind.The Omicron Covid-19 variant remains highly transmissible. Existing public health measures remain in place, including:*Staying at home if you feel unwell.*Getting a test if you experience any Covid-19 symptoms.*Wearing a mask in crowded, enclosed spaces.*Working from home if possible.*Maintaining social distancing and regular hand washing.*Taking up the offer of a free Covid-19 vaccine.To cancel or move a Covid-19 vaccine appointment booked through the National Booking Service, visit the website or call 119 (open between 7am and 11pm daily). To cancel or move an appointment booked via a pharmacy or GP practice, contact them directly.On December 29, a total of 191 people tested positive for Covid-19 in East Hampshire.

The rolling seven days total stands at 1,273, which is up by 152 (13.6 per cent).

Nobody died within 28 days of a positive test on December 29, or in the last seven days. The rolling death rate is 0.8 per 100,000 people.

A total of 102,934 people (90.4 per cent) have had their first dose of the vaccine, 96,172 (84.5 per cent) their second dose and 76,060 (66.8 per cent) their booster.

On December 29, a total of 184 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Waverley.

The rolling seven days total stands at 1,442, which is down by 75 (4.9 per cent).

Nobody died within 28 days of a positive test on December 29. The rolling seven days total is two deaths and the rolling death rate is 1.6 per 100,000 people.

A total of 104,098 people (87.2 per cent) have had their first dose of the vaccine, 96,553 (80.9 per cent) their second dose and 77,658 (65 per cent) their booster.