GPs in Trafford found out about the acceleration of boosters 'at the same time as patients', according to one primary care network (PCN).

The acceleration was announced in an address by the Prime Minister at the weekend, with the aim of all over-18s receiving a booster by the end of the month.

It comes as confirmed cases of Omicron surge across the UK, surpassing 3,000 on Sunday, although the actual number of cases is believed to be a lot higher.

On Monday, Altrincham Healthcare Alliance PCN – which includes Altrincham Medical Practice, Park Medical Practice, Shay Lane Medical Centre, St John's Medical Centre and West Timperley Medical Centre – made an appeal in a post on social media.

The post said: "Please note [we] heard of the accelerated booster plans at the same time as patients.

"We'll contact patients as we know more, so please keep our lines free of booster enquiries."

The PCN reiterated its appeal on its website.

It said: "We're currently receiving high numbers of calls regarding the latest announcement. 

"Please be assured we'll invite you for a vaccination when you're eligible."

Meanwhile Dr Mark Jarvis, medical director at Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group, said the acceleration of boosters is a 'mammoth ask'.

He said: "All Trafford's sites are working relentlessly to deliver this unprecedented programme of vaccinations and are working to step up capacity further to see eligible patients aged 18 and over from Monday.

"Please bear with us, as this is a mammoth ask, but we are working with our sites to pull out the stops to help meet the Government's target to offer all over-18s a booster by December 31."

Most of the confirmed cases of Omicron in the UK are in the capital and its surroundings, but at least three are in Trafford.

The council made the announcement towards the end of last week, on the same day as so-called Plan B restrictions started.

A number of people with the strain are in hospital for treatment, and at least one person has died with it.

On a visit to a clinic on Monday, the Prime Minister warned against suggestions it a mild illness compared to other strains.

He said: “Omicron is producing hospitalisations and, sadly, at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with Omicron.

“So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus, I think that’s something we need to set on one side and to just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population. So the best thing we can do is all get our boosters.”