As of Sunday 14th February, we reached the significant milestone in the United Kingdom’s national vaccination programme, achieving an extraordinary feat – administering a total of 15 million jabs into the arms of some of the most vulnerable across the UK.
Our world-leading vaccination programme has truly been a UK-wide effort. I want to thank each and every NHS worker and volunteer who has helped make it happen, as well as everyone who has taken up the offer to receive their jab so far. There is still a long way to go and there will undoubtedly be bumps in the road, but after what we have achieved together, we can go forward with confidence. On 22nd February, the Prime Minister will outline how we will cautiously begin to start lifting restrictions.
Sussex NHS Commissioners report an average of 9500 jabs are being administered per day across the Sussex region. Across the country, vaccines have been distributed in greater quantities thanks to the increased flexibility in redirecting supplies across the county, thanks to creative logistics. This means GPs have received far more regular deliveries of these vaccines, allowing them to run as many clinics as possible, resulting in people receiving jabs quicker.
Last Saturday (13th February), I visited the Clair Hall vaccination site, where a huge 800 people were vaccinated in one day! That raised the total number of people who have now received the vaccine in the South East to 2 million, with over 400,000 in Sussex. A huge thank you again must go out to everyone who has volunteered and continued to support the daily rollout. It was a pleasure to meet and thank all GPs, clinicians and the support team.
Finally, I’ve also raised the concerns some constituents on low incomes have about the costs of travelling to either a local GP hub or large vaccination centre, with Sussex NHS Commissioners. They confirm they are already looking into this for certain areas and reaching particular community groups, with the view to either doing further local outreach clinics or arranging for specific types of transport to be available at a discounted cost. There is already a mobile bus facility. I would encourage all constituents to raise access issues, when it comes to booking a jab, with your GP team.
I will continue to update constituents as and when there are further local and national developments
