COVID-19 vaccination programme update – GP practices starting to offer vaccinations this week

Following our update last week on the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, we can now confirm that GP practices across and the Isle of Wight will be starting to vaccinate patients in our communities from today (Tuesday 15 December).

Practices across the country are starting to take delivery of the vaccine and the programme in primary care is being arranged through local Primary Care Networks (PCNs).

Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff will work alongside GPs to vaccinate those aged 80 and over, as well as care home workers and residents, identified as priority groups for the life-saving vaccine.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all colleagues who have been working so hard on this next phase of the vaccination programme.

Practices are working together to set up local vaccination centres in surgeries, community centres, and even a hotel.

Like the hospital staff who launched the world-leading campaign last week, practice teams are working rapidly to organise the sites so that safe processes are in place to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.

The NHS is continuing to contact people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine. Please do not contact the NHS about the vaccine. When it is the right time for you, you will receive an invitation to come forward and be told where to go and what to do.

Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the ‘Wave 1’ primary care sites going live with vaccination clinics this week are as follows:

 Fareham Community Hospital  Hampshire Court Hotel, Basingstoke  Festival Hall, Petersfield  St Peters Surgery, Southampton  New Milton Health Centre  Bursledon Surgery  Surgery  Badger Farm Community Centre,  Kingston Crescent Surgery, Portsmouth  Carisbrooke Health Centre, IoW

The latest phase of the vaccine roll-out is being co-ordinated by GP-led primary care networks with more practices and community pharmacies in other parts of joining on a phased basis during December and in the coming months. We will continue to keep you updated and you can also find out more about the vaccination programme on the NHS website.