GP locums are the least likely sector in general practice to have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, doctors told the BMA in a new survey.
Locums reported even lower second dose rates than junior doctors, last month’s survey found. Some 26% of locums reported having had a second dose compared with 27% of junior doctors.
A GP locum was half as likely as a partner (known as a contractor or principal in the survey) to have had a second dose. Some 49% of partners reported having a second dose.
Reporters also warned that Black and Asian doctors, at a higher risk statistically, did not appear to have any better access to a second vaccine.
“So far, differences in rate of second dose by being identified as at higher clinical risk from COVID-19 are small and there are no meaningful differences by ethnicity,” they wrote.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, chair of NASGP, writes: “It saddens me to see that GP locums are again at the back of the queue, but I’m not surprised.
“However, looking at the data, it’s heartening to see that the trend in uptake matches that of other doctors, so at this rate it won’t be long before we have caught up.
“The survey was taken just after the 12-week anniversary of the vaccines roll-out and as we observed back then GP locums were finding it difficult to get vaccines. Now it actually looks like the system is working much better. I very much look forward to my colleagues all having their second dose over the next few days and weeks.
“This pandemic has been full of surprises, and I fully expect more to come. We still have no idea what the change in public behaviour is going to be once lockdown ends, but I’m sure one of the first things on many people’s lists – apart from getting a decent haircut – is to book an appointment to see their GP.”
GP locums can search for sessions at local practices on LocumDeck.