BOURNEMOUTH East MP Tobias Ellwood is calling for a new Covid vaccination hub in Dorset amid growing concern around the booster roll-out and rising coronavirus cases.

Eight weeks into the coronavirus booster vaccine roll-out, 160,000 doses have been administered across the county.

As previously reported, the "extreme demand" for jabs has created a number of difficulties for health authorities, while residents have faced issues accessing appointments near where they live.

Read more: Coronavirus: The number of deaths and cases rises in Dorset

Infection numbers across the county have risen again since last week. with cases rates in both Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council areas higher than the average for the south west region, and significantly higher than England's average case rate.

Yesterday, health secretary Sajid Javid said a new Covid variant, initially identified in southern Africa countries, was "causing huge international concern".

Read more: Covid: 702 cases recorded in Dorset in last 24 hours

Mr Ellwood, who worked as a volunteer at the BIC vaccination centre, said: “The news of another variant emerging from South Africa is a reminder that we are far from out of the woods.

“Only 40 per cent of the world is in fact vaccinated, so we’ve got a couple more years of a high level threat with further mutations likely.

“It’s imperative that we get as many vaccinations done as possible, especially the boosters.”

The former defence minister said: “I’m going to push very hard to reinvigorate a hub for Dorset, given the success of what we saw at the BIC."

“It’s important that all members of Parliament lean into this,” he added.

Read more: Dangerous new Covid variant reaches Europe as Belgium reports first case

Some residents have reportedly had to travel outside of the county for their booster jab.

Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which runs the county's vaccine programme, said there was an "extremely high" demand with walk-in appointments becoming increasingly "rare".

Managing pharmacist and owner of Ashley Pharmacy in New Milton, Alun John, said: “This week we have done 900 vaccinations which is quite busy, but manageable.

“It is surprising that so many people this way from Dorset, from Poole and Wimborne - it’s quite far for people to have to travel.

“You’d have thought there would be more local sites and there are but they are obviously overwhelmed with bookings.

Read more: Travel ban on six countries over new Covid variant fears

“These booster vaccines and this programme will be completed hopefully by March so it’s only a short term issue and people shouldn’t be too worried if they haven’t had their vaccine at six months and if it’s at seven months it’s perfectly fine - there’s no immediate need for people to rush and panic.”

Mr John added: “If the powers that be wanted to, you could always set up a large scale clinic like they had originally, but it’s just finding that time and effort to make those decisions.

“I think it’s possibly a bit late in the day for the powers that be.”

Due to a high number of bookings, the vaccine site at King's Park Hospital, the previously frequent walk-in clinics are now "rare" and cannot be guaranteed.

A spokesperson for the Dorset COVID-19 Vaccination Programme said: “Walk-ins are only available At Kings Park when there are free slots and we need to give priority to those who have pre-booked. Demand is very high at the moment so the centre is often fully booked.

“We strongly recommend that people book ahead to ensure they get a slot at the best time for them. We will do our best to use the rare empty slots for walk-ins though there will generally be a wait for these.

“The vaccination centre we ran at the Bournemouth International Centre was much larger and demand was spread across the months as new cohorts were approved for vaccination. It was also run mainly on a booked appointment basis but its size allowed for more walk-ins than we can currently offer at Kings Park.”

The Daily Echo also received a number of reports regarding issues with the NHS booking system and booster appointments at Boots in Commercial Road, Bournemouth.

A Boots spokesperson said: “The Boots Commercial Road store in Bournemouth does offer Covid-19 Booster vaccinations.

“Due to demand, diaries at this store are currently busy with pre-booked appointments, meaning there is limited availability for new bookings in the next few weeks. We advise patients to keep checking the NHS National Booking Service where they will be able to see available appointments within a reasonable geographical location from their chosen postcode.”