This week, nine GP-led vaccination services, covering 26 practices across Sussex, have begun vaccinating patients in their communities against coronavirus.
Each vaccination service is being supported by one or several GP practices, with their teams working collectively to vaccinate patients at these sites supported by nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff. GP practice teams across Sussex have worked rapidly over the last weeks to plan for the vaccination programme, redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.
It marks the latest stage of the vaccine roll out, following the launch of the vaccination programme in Sussex at the Royal Sussex County ‘hospital hub’ in Brighton last week.
The vaccination programme will continue to expand in Sussex over the coming weeks and months as more vaccine becomes available. This will include more hospital hubs, more GP-led local vaccination services, larger vaccination centres, and a roving service to take the vaccine into care homes and people’s own homes if they cannot attend a vaccination site.
The Government, the NHS and its partners are working hard to overcome the significant challenges to vaccinate care home residents as soon as possible.
People are asked not to contact their GP surgery to ask for the vaccine so that practice staff can focus on arranging the vaccinations and providing day-to-day care for all of their registered patients.
Key messages for the public:
• The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.
• Please act on your invite when it comes, and make sure you attend your appointments.
• All the while COVID-19 in in our communities it is important to follow the guidelines and remember Hands, Face, Space. It will save lives and help the NHS.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Sussex, including a list of vaccination sites as they go live, please visit:
https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vacci…;
COVID-19 vaccination scam alert
I am aware that some people are receiving fraudulent calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination. In some cases, people are asked to press a number on their keypad or to send a text message to confirm they wish to receive the vaccine. Doing so is likely to result in a charge being applied to their phone bill. In other cases, callers are offering the vaccine for a fee or asking for bank details.
People are warned to be alert to these scams. The vaccine is only available from the NHS and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn. At present, appointments are only being offered to members of the public over 80 years old.
The NHS will:
- NEVER ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text asking you to confirm you want the vaccine.
- NEVER ask for payment for the vaccine or for your bank details.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft, you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, report it to Sussex Police online or by calling 101.
