Covid-19 Vaccination Update
Message from the programme  Today we have launched this new daily update for the COVID-19 vaccination programme across your local area. This aims to inform you of the progress being made to roll out the programme and to sign post you and others to relevant local information about the vaccination. We know how important it is at this time to have regular, clear and consistent communications as we step up the programme and will be doing everything possible to keep you updated. Understandably, everyone wants to know when they will get their vaccine and in response to this, we have launched a public campaign called “When will I get my jab?” This aims to give people easy-to-understand information around when and where they can expect to get their vaccination in their local area and more information about the campaign is below. We are also doing everything possible to keep our partners and stakeholders updated and I hope this daily update will help with this, alongside the other communication methods we have in place. The attached stakeholder briefing is now being sent twice a week and we are doing everything possible to make sure that we are able to answer the many questions that we are receiving. I am sure, like me, you are delighted that we are now in the position to be able to communicate about giving people a vaccination for COVID-19. The speed at which a vaccination has been created and is being rolled-out is extraordinary and we have already made very good progress since the first batches were made available just a month ago. This is testament to the hard work and commitment of NHS staff and I would like to thank them all for everything they have been and are doing for this national effort. The NHS across your local area is working extremely hard to get the vaccine to everyone who is eligible as quickly as possible and we are very pleased that a significant number of the first priority cohorts have already received their vaccinations, and continue to do so every day. However, we all do need to recognise this is the largest vaccination programme ever undertaken and it will take some time to get to everyone. The timing of when people who are eligible will get the vaccination depends largely on the availability of the vaccine and the priority group they are in. The national Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decides the priority groups and has recommended that we initially focus on vaccinating residents in care homes for older adults, staff working in care homes for older adults, all those over the age of 80 and frontline health and social care workers. Find out more about the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Sussex on our website. The important message people need to know is that they will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn to receive the vaccine. Initially this is being done by phone, but alternative arrangements will be made for anyone who is not able to speak on the telephone. I would like to thank everyone for their support to our work in getting the vaccination rolled out locally and we will do whatever we can to keep you informed of our progress. Allison Cannon Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Chief Nursing Officer for the Sussex CCGs Latest updates Launch of public information campaign The Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme has launched a local public information campaign from today to help people understand when they will get their jab. The campaign – called “When will I get my jab?” – aims to give people clear and simple information on when and where they can expect to be vaccinated. Since the vaccination programme began to be rolled out before Christmas, there has been a huge amount of interest and people are understandably asking when it will be their turn. A large amount of different communications will be going out to the public, included targeted messages through local community networks. There will also be a new weekly recorded public broadcast that will involve senior NHS leaders providing updated information and answering frequently asked questions from the public. All relevant information as part of the campaign on when local people will get their vaccination can be found on Sussex Health and Care Partnership website and this will be constantly updated as the roll-out of the programme is increasingly stepped up. > Read more about “When will I get my Jab?”  Further GP-led vaccination services go live More GP-led vaccination services are going live this week to ensure as many people can start getting their vaccination as quickly as possible. The way in which the vaccination programme is being delivered locally has been agreed nationally. GP-led vaccination services currently involve local GP practices working together in groups to provide the vaccine for their local population. This is in addition to the hospital hubs already up and running and large vaccination centres that are being finalised. The reasons GPs are delivering the vaccine in this way for their patients is because of the supply and the type of vaccine that has been available up until now. Having one site to deliver the vaccination for registered patients of a number of local practices allows other GP practices to continue to provide vital general practice services as well as the vaccination programme to be delivered for the local population. There are a small number of patients whose arrangements are still being finalised this week. They will either be covered by a nearby GP-led vaccination service or another part of the vaccination programme. Those patients will be informed of their arrangements. > Read more about the vaccination services in place in the local area Vaccinations for health and care workers As the COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to expand across Sussex we’re working to ensure that every member of our health and care workforce has the opportunity to be vaccinated as quickly as possible. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that health and care staff are among the first people to be offered the vaccine in order to prevent death and protect health and social care staff and systems. With more locations and vaccines available, we are now able to invite all health and care workers to book a vaccination at one of the six hospital-based vaccination sites across Sussex. > Read more about staff vaccinations in Sussex Keeping Sussex Safe  Dr Laura Hill, GP and Clinical Chair for West Sussex CCG, talks about rising COVID-19 cases across the county, the roll out of the vaccination programme, and what we can all do to keep Sussex Safe. |