NEARLY 72,000 Covid vaccinations have been given in the Forest since Christmas with most people over 50 having had both jabs.
But planning appointments remains a problem as supplies of both first and second dose Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines remain "variable".
The Forest’s vaccination centre opened on December 21 at the former health centre in Dockham Road, Cinderford and since then 71,748 jabs have been given.
It means that 98 per cent of people over 75 have received both doses as have 97 per cent of patients in nursing homes.
Full vaccination for people in the 50-74-years-old age group is running at between 90 and 94 per cent.
Dr Sophia Sandford, clinical director for the Forest of Dean primary care network (PCN), said: "Overall, this a huge success story for the Forest."
She said the PCN, which is made up of 11 GP practices, is committed to completing the vaccination programme "as quickly as possible".
Dr Sandford added: "We are working closely with the CCG (Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group) to try and obtain additional supplies all the time.
"We are committed to completing the local vaccination programme as quickly as possible but it is challenging to manage with a changing vaccine supply - we are hoping for a larger, more consistent supply in August.
"We are grateful to our patients who are trying to book - but sometimes find the appointments have already been filled - for their patience with the system.
"We ask that they keep trying and new appointments are regularly added in line with vaccine availability.’
Dr Paul Weiss, who is also a clinical director with the PCN, said they wanted to encourage as many people as possible to get vaccinated - but called on those who do not wish to have the jab to let their local surgery know.
He said: "The roll-out of the vaccine programme has been very time-consuming in surgeries.
"Just by letting your Surgery know if you don’t wish to have the vaccine means staff will not be repeatedly trying to contact you which saves time and their lists can be updated.
"Given the importance of this vaccination programme, we ask everyone to give their family members, friends and colleagues a nudge to book their appointment if they have been contacted by text or by their surgery."
Nicki Davis, the lead nurse at the Cinderford vaccination centre, also reassured people who have a fear of needles.
She said: "We have a lot of experience of patients who are needle-phobic and we get them successfully vaccinated. Our staff are used to
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this, every day we see patients who are anxious about having an injection.
"I would just ask anyone who is concerned to mention it to the meet and greet marshal on the front door who will ensure they are assisted."
Many patients receive text alerts about short notice appointments which allows them to book for a first or second dose.
Unlike the national system, only one appointment can be booked and patients are then invited to book again for their second dose.
Patients are asked not to contact their surgeries as they are unable to offer alternative appointments.
While there are some appointments on evenings and weekends, the majority are for between 8.30am and 6pm.
For those without a mobile phone, the surgery will give them a call and book over the phone and sometime vaccine centre staff will call people directly, particularly if extra doses have become available.
General updates are posted on the surgeries’ Facebook page and on the website www.forestgpsurgeries.co.uk.
The Forest of Dean PCN is made up of the district’s 11 GP surgeries: Dockham Surgery and Forest Healthcare - now based in their new premises on Valley Road, Cinderford - Yorkley Health Centre, which covers Bream Surgery, Newnham Surgery, which covers Westbury Surgery, Blakeney Surgery, Lydney Health Centre, Severnbank Surgery, Drybrook Surgery, Coleford Health Centre, Brunston Surgery, which covers Lydbrook) and Mitcheldean Surgery.
Forest residents not registered at one of these surgeries should contact their own GP for vaccination details.