Local vaccine teams continue to make great progress. Vaccines are being effectively delivered with “wastage”, at only 0.02 per cent, being kept to an absolute minimum.
Across West Sussex:
Over 87,000 NHS staff and care workers have been inoculated (against an estimated 108,000) and this process continues, led by local hospitals.
Over 96% per cent of residents in adult care homes across Sussex have now been vaccinated – some residents’ vaccinations have had to be delayed to allow a safe window following a Covid infection but these are all in hand.
For residents in West Sussex current vaccination rates (as at late last week) were:
Nearly 90 per cent of those aged over 80
Over 82 per cent of those between 75-80
Over 35 per cent of those aged between 70-74, and
Over 50 per cent of those aged 18-64 deemed clinically extremely vulnerable.
Letters from the national NHS system have begun to be dispatched to those in the 70-74 age group and this week increasing numbers of housebound patients are also being contacted.
Regional and Local Hubs
I have received positive reviews of the Crawley Regional vaccine centre which has just completed its first full week with active support being provided by the Army. It is working really well but, as with the Brighton centre, the NHS teams have asked me to please ask attendees not to turn up more than 10 minutes before your appointment!
Once again a reminder that when you receive a letter inviting you to attend a regional hub it is your choice whether you book in or wait to be called for a more local GP centre appointment.
Second Doses
People booking through the regional centres are automatically given a date up to 12 weeks ahead for their second jab.
Please don’t be concerned if you have been been inoculated through a local centre, you will be contacted by them again for your second dose when this falls due. Sufficient stocks are earmarked to complete all second doses.