Update as of Friday 25th June
This weekend, hundreds of walk-in NHS Covid-19 vaccination sites will be operating with any adult able to turn up and ‘grab a jab’, as we urge everyone aged 18 and over to get their vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Update as of Monday 21st June
Every adult in the UK can now book a life-saving Covid vaccine as we enter the final stretch in our race to protect the country and fully return to normality.
Vaccines are our route out of the pandemic - vaccinated people are less likely to get Covid-19 symptoms, be admitted to hospital or die from the disease, and there is growing evidence that vaccinated people are less likely to pass the virus on to others.
That is why it is vital for everyone who has not done so yet to come forward and get their jab, so we can build on the continued success of our historic vaccine programme - which has saved more than 14,000 lives so far as part of this remarkable national effort to protect the country.
Update as of Wednesday 9th June
This week we made another massive step, as all over 25s can now book their Covid-19 vaccinations, so please do come forward to receive your jab, it could save your life, or the life of someone around you: Book or manage your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Additionally, the MHRA have concluded positive safety profile for Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds. This follows a rigorous review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of the vaccine in this age group.
Update as of Tuesday 1st June
Last Friday, the MHRA approved the single-dose Janssen vaccine for use in the UK - meaning we now have another weapon in our fight against the virus.
More than 25 million people in the UK have had two doses of a vaccine - just under half of the adult population - while more than 64 million doses have been received in total across the UK, but we need everyone else to continue coming forward to receive their jabs.
Sussex Vaccination Programme
As of Friday 28th May, we have completed 1,770,795 vaccinations – this is the first and second dose.
On Thursday 27 May, we reached the milestone of one million people who have received their first dose across Sussex in the nationally published figures.
Across Sussex, we have delivered 90% of cohorts 1-9, with 86k residents yet to have a first dose of vaccination in 1-9. For West Sussex, we have delivered 91.7% of cohorts 1-9, with 38,277 yet to have had the first dose in 1-9.
38.3% of cohort 11 across Sussex have now had their vaccination following the 30-year-olds and over becoming eligible this week. For West Sussex, it is currently 42% - higher than the Sussex average - and this is a cohort we are focusing on with our communications campaign to encourage them to come forward to book a vaccination.
Update as of Tuesday 18th May
Over 20 million people have now received their second vaccine dose, marking a huge milestone in our fight against the virus as we continue at pace to roll out the vaccine to every corner of the UK. Thanks to the monumental efforts of everyone involved, our vaccination programme is continuing to make incredible strides in delivering life-saving protection.
We have now administered more than 56 million vaccines across the UK, including over 20 million second doses - and we remain on track to offer a vaccine to all adults by the end of July.
Today, it was confirmed people aged over 36 can now come forward to book to get their COVID-19 jab. It’s so important everyone eligible gets their jab, as we try to contain the new variants. If you download the NHS app it will display your jab details too.
Update as of Tuesday 27th April
Currently, while our incredible vaccine roll-out continues at pace, we are still under some social distancing restrictions, and there is only limited, and as of yet, inconclusive data on the size of the effect of COVID-19 vaccines on transmission.
However, I am delighted to be able to say evidence so far is incredibly promising, as the first data that directly measures the impact of the vaccine on reducing transmission show that, if you live with someone who has been vaccinated, you have a 30% lower risk of catching COVID-19 yourself.
More recently, a study from Public Health England has found one dose of the vaccine can cut the risk of passing on the virus to those living in the same household by up to 50%, providing further evidence the vaccine protects you and those around you.
Early data on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine also shows one dose reduces the risk of catching infection by more than 70%, rising to 85% after the second dose. Further evidence is expected to become available as the roll-out of the vaccine continues and research is ongoing - I will continue to follow any updates closely and will feed these back to constituents via my website and social media accounts.
Data on the impact of these vaccines on the transmission of Covid-19 will be vital as we continue to relax restrictions as set out in the Prime Minister's Roadmap. These early signs are extremely promising, and I hope give constituents real belief we can forward to a return to some semblance of normality this year! Vaccines are our way out of this pandemic and I hope everyone in Mid Sussex takes up the offer of a vaccination when it is their turn – with people over the age of 42 now able to book their jab. I received my first dose of the Moderna vaccine on Monday and didn’t feel a thing! You can book here: Book a coronavirus vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Additionally, the Government have secured an additional 60 million vaccine doses for our booster shot programme, which will be developed in line with expert advice to ensure that we have the strongest possible protection against new variants of the disease.
This week, the Government also announced a further shipment of vital oxygen equipment to India which will help to save lives and support a key friend in the global fight against the pandemic.
Update as of Friday 26th March
We've vaccinated well over 28 million people across the UK - over 55% of the population! In some really encouraging news, the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP, told MPs on Thursday (25th March) that new analysis is showing the UK's vaccine roll-out had saved more than 6,000 lives by the end of February.
This study, from Public Health England (PHE), said "the Covid-19 vaccination programme is already having a significant impact on severe Covid-19 disease in England beyond the effect of the national lockdown.”
This material prove of the incredible impact our vaccination roll-out is having in our fight against this virus, and i hope gives everyone confidence in the effectiveness of this vaccine. Again I want to urge everyone to take up the offer to receive your jab - all over 50s are now invited to book their jab - please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ for more info.
Update as of Monday 1st March
It was confirmed over the weekend that we have now vaccinated over 20 million people with their first Covid 19 jabs – another incredible milestone, which would’ve seemed beyond our wildest hopes just a few months ago. We are continuing to lead the world in our vital vaccination roll-out and every milestone means a big a step closer to defeating this virus, easing restrictions and returning us to normality.
Huge thank you once again to every NHS worker, team member and volunteer who’s been part of this unprecedented roll-out, and to everyone who has taken up the offer to receive your jab, and I encourage everyone to please take up this opportunity to protect yourself against this terrible virus when you are contacted by the NHS. More information can be found here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
It was also confirmed today that new data shows both Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines significantly reduce severe COVID-19 in older adults. More information on this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-data-show-vaccines-reduce-severe…
Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has set out further guidance on the next priority groups for Covid-19 vaccination. In Phase One of the roll-out, which is already well underway, the top 9 priority groups are covering everyone with serious underlying health conditions who are aged 16-64, as well as anyone over 50. The Government are still aiming to have offered the vaccine to everyone in the top 9 priority groups identified by the JCVI by mid-April.
I have had several constituents get in touch about prioritising teachers, and other specific groups, in the next phase of the roll-out, and I have been feeding this back in to my meetings with Sussex NHS Commisioners and my colleagues in DHSC. However, the JCVI has now recommended and the Government has accepted that the vaccine programme continue to proceed into Phase Two on the basis of age groups, with those aged 40 - 49 invited first once the initial priority phase has been completed, followed by those aged 30-39, and finally those aged 18-29 – with a current target date for competition set at July 31st.
I do greatly understand why so many are particularly concerned about the vaccination of teachers, with the wider reopening of schools on March 8th, but I have been reassured that the current rapid vaccine deployment is the most important way of increasing public health benefits against severe outcomes from Covid-19. As such, it was explained to me that a strategy centred specifically on occupational groups would be more complex to deliver and may require new vaccine deployment structures, which would slow down vaccine delivery to the population as a whole. Therefore, it seems right the committee's recommendation to proceed with the vaccine programme on the basis of age groups. It is also important to remember that as each age group is vaccinated, so are all teachers in these age bracket.
Update as of Sunday 14th February
Following my weekly update meeting with the Vaccine Minister and Sussex NHS Commissioners they report an average 9500 jabs per day across the Sussex region AND they have been given as they have had greater flexibility and ability to redirect supplies across the county with some creative logistics meaning that GPs have received a more regular delivery allowing them to run as many clinics as possible to build numbers receiving jabs quicker.
800 again done in Clair Hall on yesterday with 2 million reached in SE and over 400,000 in Sussex. The PM will layout the indicative roadmap to reopening w/c 22nd February and the next stage of jab rollout & priority lists are being discussed now as we understand how the lockdown has eased infections alongside the vaccine rollout. We are all really keen to see how we reopen the economy and push back towards normality.
Pleasingly NHS England, who distribute the vaccinations, are now in a more helpful position to release a two week window of what supplies will be coming through to the local NHS Trusts which giving better visibility to both GP hubs and the large vaccination centres to plan the clinics as they continue to rollout this critical programme.
The large vaccinations centres in Brighton, Crawley and Epsom ( depends where you live - they are within a 45 min drive to you) have unfortunately seen a slight dip in demand over the last week however with invitations landing Friday, yesterday and Monday for the 65 overs they expect to get busier again as people take up their bookings.
The local roving teams are on track to achieve reaching the cohort 1-4 housebound vaccination target by Monday, so if you are 70 or over and you haven’t heard from either your GP or the roving team about a home visit contact your GP.
With the expected ramp up in the large vaccination centres as the programme moves onto the remaining first cohorts, Sussex NHS Community Trust have confirmed that, following initial delays on getting volunteers on board (there was an enormous response to request for volunteers received), that they are fully up to speed in preparing for this surge in demand with many new staff 'on-boarding'.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to everyone who has volunteered and continues to support daily roll out. It was a pleasure to meet and thank all GPs, clinicians and all the support team at Clair Hall yesterday and shortly I will join the local team too at East Court in East Grinstead.
2nd JABS
For those who have already received their first jab and query how they will receive their second, whilst I’m expecting further detailed clarity, I am told that if you had your first dose with your GP - you’ll go back to your GP for your second dose ( of the same vaccine) and similarly if you had your first dose at a large vaccination centre you’ll go back there for your second dose.
DUPLICATE INVITES
You may find that you have booked an appointment at a large vaccination centre only to have a call from your GP a couple of days later. The national booking system will record your booking but only confirms to the GP once you’ve received your jab in case you are unable to then attend for any reason and so you’re not missed out of this process. I appreciate that this can be frustrating both for you and also your GP practice but this process is set this way to ensure people aren’t missed out. But it does update quickly and is being kept and eye on.
The message remains CLEAR as we move down the 1-9 cohorts please try to accept your first offer of a jab at a large vaccine centre or by your GP. Which ever is first if you are able to travel safely to the larger sites at Crawley or Brighton for example please take this jab up. As going forward local and larger sites will be concentrating on different cohorts.
I've received some enquiries from constituents asking whether the NHS England invitation letters that come out are first jab or second jab invitations - as sometimes these are received in parallel to an invitation from their GP. I've asked Sussex NHS commissioners to look into this and request greater clarity in the letter text.
MILD SIDE AFFECTS- what is normal?
I’ve also asked for greater detail and the publishing of any vaccine side-effects - what can be expected as normal - sore arm, light fever, headache (similar to the flu jab) but what should raise any alarm bells and what to do if you’re concerned. This will be discussed at your appointment too. So do ask for any extra clarity there too.
I hope to get more information on this in the coming days but if you are worried please either call your GP or 111. If you have a severe reaction do seek urgent medical help.
ACCESS & TRAVEL COSTS
And finally I’ve also raised with Sussex NHS Commissioners that some constituents on low incomes have concerns about the costs of travelling to either a local GP hub or large vaccination centre. They confirm that they are already looking into this for certain areas, perhaps of deprivation and for 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. The do already have their mobile bus facility. You should raise access issues at booking with you GP team and they can already help.
Again as I hear more about further initiatives I will keep you updated.
Do revisit my Facebook or website for regular updates on this vaccination programme. If you need any help https://www.mimsdavies.org.uk/contact
Update as of Sunday 7th February
NEARLY 11.5 MILLION VACCINES DONE - As of 6 February, 11,465,210 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The latest I have after my regular meetings with the Vaccine Minister & NHS Commissioners
Another week further into the brilliant local vaccination programme and my weekly update meeting with Sussex Commissioners confirms that they are confident of meeting locally the 15th February target for vaccine delivery to the first 4 priority cohorts. So nationally too we are on track to offer the top 4 priority groups a COVID vaccine by 15th February. We've set the goal to offer a vaccine to priority groups 1-9 by May, that includes all over 50s, vulnerable groups & health and care staff. It's an ambitious target but I know we are determined we can hit it.
It was great to see huge activity at Clair Hall site again yesterday. Massive thank you to the volunteers too. Looking forward to joining you all soon at both East Court and Clair Hall. It’s such a slick service at both Mid Sussex sites and many constituents have written to pass on feedback and grateful thanks to NHS and Government for this really impressive and vital roll out.
APPOINTMENTS ARRIVALS - please be timely - not too late or too early - there is very limited waiting space at venues and teams don’t want you getting cold or hanging around any more than necessary. They try very hard to be on schedule and most people report a swift and very effective on time service.
Across West Sussex GP invitations are being actively extended now to the 70-74 age group and clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV). In comparative terms in the South/South East regarding the number who have already been vaccinated Sussex is just very slightly behind the leaders – Hampshire & IOW. That the programme is doing well in this area is testament to the hard work of our GPs and NHS community teams and volunteers.
Now that all care homes who can be vaccinated at this time have been completed, the priority for the roving teams is those who are housebound. There are 4 NHS community roving teams supporting GPs in this.
Locally we are focussed to in any gaps in take up too and to try to understand the reasons. Significant activity on why this is occurring regarding worries or concerns are being understood and addressed.
Another Large Vaccination Centre at Crawley Hospital opened this week – I have raised with the NHS Commissioners and my MP colleague, Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, the need for better parking provision for this centre – along the lines of the free 1 hour parking available for those who attend the Brighton Large Vaccination Centre. They have committed to take this up with Crawley Borough Council.
As explained previously, there is a belt and braces approach – so when it is your turn to be invited you will receive both an NHS England letter inviting you to book at one of the large vaccination centres local to you as well has receiving an invitation from your GP. You won’t be missed out if you are unable to accept the NHS England invitation to a large site – your GP will contact you too re a local invitation. Those in the 70-74 group should be receiving this NHS England letter in the next couple of days.
I am often contacted about the Mid Sussex programme by constituents asking why the local centres are closed – why they are not running every day?
There is a combination of factors here – the key one though is the supply of vaccines. Currently vaccines are supplied in a ‘push’ model by NHS England whereby they allocate stocks to the vaccination centres based on the demographics of the local population and what is available to supply – manufacturers are ramping up their production, particularly the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine – so NHS England must balance available supplies across the UK. I am advised that this will move to a ‘pull’ model (ie GPs can place specific sized orders) when the vaccine manufacturers have completed their ramp up processes to supply more. There is also the consideration of the handling and timely usage challenges of the Pfizer vaccine.
The Sussex NHS teams are dedicated to ensuring that every vaccine dose is utilised – this is a precious product – so it is very positive that the wastage figure for Sussex of 0.02% is one of the best in the country. To put this into perspective – for every 5000 doses available to be given only 1 is lost. Key rule is: don’t waste a single dose!
Another highlight of this week is that WSCC have worked with Sussex NHS Commissioners to agree that staff at 25 special schools across West Sussex who undertake an element of personal care for students can be designated under the carer’s remit and be vaccinated along with other front line social care staff. Within the Mid Sussex constituency this the following schools: Woodlands Meed and West Sussex APC in Burgess Hill, Farney Close School in Bolney, Central Education and Brantridge School in Haywards Heath and Philpots Manor in East Grinstead.
Part of the success of this programme is to vaccinate as many people as possible so Sussex Commissioners and NHS colleagues are working with Directors of Public Health to approach those individuals who have yet to take up the offer, or have declined the offer, of the vaccine.
Thanks to our Vaccine Taskforce, we’re nationally ramping up our domestic vaccine manufacturing base meanwhile facilities in #Teesside, #Wrexham, #Oxfordshire, #Livingston and #Staffordshire are stepping up in this national effort with the Government, science and industry working together.
We are also focussed on understanding the new variants too: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-vaccines-partnership-to-rapidly-respond-to-new-virus-variants
I will keep you updated when I have more to share.
Now the programme in Mid Sussex is fully up and running - If you're looking for information regarding VOLUNTEERS - please scroll to the bottom of this page
Update as of Thursday 4th February
From February 3rd, people aged 18 and over in the clinically extremely vulnerable priority group will start to receive letters from the national booking service inviting them to book a vaccination appointment.
People in this priority group are those in the Shielded Patient List and includes those who are undergoing cancer treatment, people who have severe respiratory conditions and those who are at risk of severe infection due to immunodeficiency.
Over 10 million people across the country have now received a Covid 19 vaccine across the UK, which is a fantastic achievement. We remain on track to have vaccinated everyone in the top 4 priority groups identified by the JCVI in both Mid Sussex and the country by mid-February. 9 out of 10 over 75s have now received their first dose. Here's a few more stats which I hope reassure you the vaccine rollout is continuing according to plan:
- 931,204 vaccinations were administered last weekend, that's almost 1 in every 60 people in the whole UK
- We have visited every eligible care home with older residents in England, and offered vaccinations to all residents and staff.
- Only the US and China have vaccinated more people than the UK. We are also third in the world per capita behind only Israel and the UAE.
In other news, recent exploratory analysis has shown that a longer dose interval may actually increase immunogenicity from the Oxford vaccine, and while Pfizer has not evaluated an alternative dosing schedule, the Moderna vaccine, which uses the same mRNA technology, has data to support high efficacy up to 108 days after the first dose.
There are also trials underway to asses the effectiveness of using a different vaccine in the second dose to the one people received in the first, ie Pfizer 1st then AstraZeneca 2nd. These trials will be very useful and if successful, will give us more flexibility in accelerating the national vaccination rollout.
Update as of Friday 29th January 2021
Important updates from today's vaccination rollout programme meetings, both with the Vaccines Minister and local NHS Commissioners, sees over 72 thousand vaccinations given in West Sussex and GPs and roving teams working tirelessly to get all over 80s vaccinated by the end of the month. The next priority cohorts, of the over 70s and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, is steadily moving towards the target completion of the 15th February and letters inviting over 70s to attend one of the large vaccination hubs (ie within a 45 minute drive for those who are able and willing to travel) start to hit door mats from today. Remember though, if you can't travel to take up this offer you won't be missed out and will still receive an invitation from your GP - this is a 'belt and braces' offer from NHS England organised centrally as a back up.
The Brighton Centre large vaccination site went live this week. It's great to hear that this has been a popular choice but the message is 'Please don't arrive more than 5 minutes early for your appointment' as there isn't the space for people to queue.
The next large vaccination site at Crawley is ready to go from next week and is waiting for confirmation of the date of the first vaccine supplies. Watch this space!
Update as of Monday 25th January 2021 on Elderly Care Homes
Thousands of residents of care homes now protected by 1st C19 jabs across Sussex. As we reach 7.3 million who have had their first jab.
Older people in Sussex care homes are one of the top priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccine due to their high risk from coronavirus - so I’m VERY pleased to be able to advise that Sussex Commissioners have now indicated that all care homes in Mid Sussex for the elderly have received their first vaccination.
The national target is for the programme to be rolled out now to all care homes for all ages by the end of the month.
They have confirmed that as of 25 January 2021, more than 8,381 residents across a total of 454 care homes for older people, representing 90% of care homes for older people across Sussex have been vaccinated, with the remaining 10% representing those care homes they were not able to vaccinate because they have a current outbreak of COVID-19. The vaccination teams will be revisiting these care homes in 28 days following the positive test.
This is an absolutely amazing achievement as Sussex has one of the highest numbers of nursing and care homes per capita across the country and I am VERY grateful for the dedication and commitment of our wonderful vaccination teams & volunteers from our GP-led services and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust who are making excellent progress towards achieving this challenging government target.
Update as of Sunday 24th January 2021
Yesterday we vaccinated 491,970 people UK-wide yesterday. Tremendous work locally and across the country - HUGE well done to all involved.
Today, Sunday 24th January, marks the target for completion of the routine vaccination programme in West Sussex Care homes for those with elderly residents. There will be a very small number of homes which due to the size of a Covid-19 outbreak and/or the isolation set-up at the home delivery of the vaccines must wait until an all clear 28 day period has been completed. But predominantly this target will have been met.
The target for all over 80s in Mid Sussex to be vaccinated by the end of January ( next weekend) is still on track closely followed by all in the first 4 priority cohorts by the 15th February in Mid Sussex. All great news.
The new large mass vaccination at the Brighton Centre opens tomorrow, Monday 25th January and centrally NHS invitations will have been sent to over 80s who live within a 45 minute travel to offer to travel to use this site. If you have had your first jab, please do ignore this letter but this is a belt and braces to help make sure nobody has been missed out.
As the care homes roving teams conclude there coverage-HOUSEBOUND patients will start to be covered by the same team. Those who can travel with support to the Mid Sussex vaccine centres - at former Clair Hall and East Court please do let your GP know at booking - as it may mean a jab quicker but if you simply cannot attend this way - please do make sure you take the booking from the roving team when offered.
Well over 90% of the country is covered by a vaccine centre within 10 miles and roving or pop up teams will make sure an gaps are covered across our Country 🇬🇧. With 215 in the south east alone!!
Monday 25th in the Brighton Centre will be focused on delivering priority groups from the Health & Social Care sphere - vaccines for over 80s start there from Tuesday 26th. This invitation will run in parallel to those extended by GPs – so as a REMINDER - if you’ve had a 1st vaccination already or would prefer to have this done at your GP’s hub the choice is yours and you can disregard the additional invite to the Brighton Centre.
For those attending the Brighton Centre, on presentation of your booking confirmation, you can get 1 hour free parking in the carpark of the nearby car park group - get more details at the time of bookings.
The Crawley hospital site will come on stream at beginning of February as planned. The Gatwick site remains a possibility but no further updates as yet.
Meanwhile Test and trace is cracking on too. They are really firing on all cylinders now. 85% of tests results back within 24 hours!
I will continue to update as I get more and thank our local NHS team and our Vaccine Minister for the very regular updates - 3 of which I had on Friday. My team are doing replies on any and various questions & there is always more on my website too .
Keep safe and remember please don’t ring the surgery on this unless absolutely necessary- they will call you!! You won’t be asked for any money - do watch out for scams and do be patient. I recognise it’s a very challenging time for us all.
Thank you
Update as of 21st January 2021
The Sussex focus remains on vaccinating all over 80s
I have received this update from Sussex NHS Commissioners and it is currently the situation that in West Sussex, the local NHS remains focused on getting through vaccinating the first priority cohorts recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). These are residents and staff in care homes for older people, those aged 80 and over, and frontline health and care staff.
They are aware that the recent news that the over 70s could now be vaccinated has caused some interest and possible concern among those who are in the first priority cohort who are waiting to be contacted to receive an appointment. Whilst this change gives them valuable flexibility, with the NHS ensuring that no appointments or vaccines go to waste, the message remains clear here ‘we are still very much focused on the first priority cohorts.’
Nationally, the most recent published data shows that just over half of over 80s have received their first vaccination, so no one should be concerned if they have not yet been contacted.
In Sussex, they are working to vaccinate all over 80s by the end of January and all 4 first priority cohorts by the middle of February using a number of different routes to achieve this.
Alongside the local hubs in Mid Sussex for those able to travel, they are reaching those over 80s who are housebound through their roving delivery services. GP-led services, and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, have been taking the vaccine to residents and staff in care homes for older people in recent weeks so once this is completed this will increase capacity for those who are housebound. Plans are in development to ensure that all housebound patients have been identified and have a vaccination visit scheduled.
For those over 80s who are willing and able to travel slightly further for their vaccination, the options available in Sussex are increasing with the first large-scale vaccination centres and community pharmacy-led sites targeted to come on-line over the coming week.
I have a further update with local NHS colleagues and West Sussex MPs soon and will continue to keep constituents updated both here and via Facebook.
Update as of 17th January 2021
I had substantial meetings this week with the local NHS and the Vaccine Minister - we are regularly getting through queries and linking with the NHS to answer them. Here are some further updates. Burgess Hill GP and East Grinstead patients have begun their vaccinations over this week and weekend in the former Clair Hall and East Court respectively with very positive reports of the experience & process.
Thank you to all the local medical teams and volunteers who have again been brilliant in this next phase.
The 7th wave of the West Sussex vaccine activity begins next week meaning all of West Sussex GPs have commenced. Covering the 80 practices. The Pfizer jabs are the dominant vaccine supply which is the most challenging product to handle. The Oxford/AZ flow is still much more limited. Supplies are distributed via NHS England and GPs notified approximately 3 days in advance of what & when deliveries will be made so they can arrange local patient appointments. Sites do have a contingency list for any left-over vaccine and a focus is on no waste. They watch this across appointments adding more where needed. This is a big focus despite press reports to the contrary.
The Brighton vaccine centre at the Brighton Centre will commence vaccinations subject to all NHS approvals and readiness on 25th January - building up to 3,000 patients a day once vaccine provision is rolling through. The Crawley vaccination centre site at the hospital will commence on 1st February building up to 1,500 jabs per day. With a Bognor site following too.
I have received a number of approaches from constituents who are concerned they have received invitations and been asked to travel to a large vaccine centre in Epsom, and potentially shortly the one in Brighton or Crawley. Please do but only accept this if you can travel with support safely, if not you won’t be missed out and you will later receive a local invite via your GP.
Update on the Plan for most vulnerable Mid Sussex:
Housebound residents - there will be a roving team to support those with access challenges. This is being worked up.
Homeless people - the local NHS team have a plan to assist the most vulnerable.
Care Homes & Care Staff
As a programme, this is something that the local NHS have been working towards and a large amount of work has taken place to make sure residents receive their vaccine as quickly as possible. Residents and staff in care homes for older people are in the top priority group and across Sussex the vaccinations are predominantly being delivered through the GP-led vaccination services. The remainder are being served by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust vaccination teams. The NHS say they are working in partnership with care homes and plan to have vaccinated all care homes with residents over 65 years old before the end of January, with all care homes vaccinated by mid-February. They are confirming details to each home individually as the programme is rolled out.
Due to the large number of care homes for older people across our local area, the planning and implementation of getting the vaccination out to them has been complex and it is recognised there has been a certain amount of frustration from some care homes that the vaccination has not reached them quickly enough.
The NHS are making real progress in this area too, we are conscious they say of the need to get the vaccination to as many care homes as possible as quickly as possible and this remains our constant focus as we roll-out the programme.
My office has been working with local care homes on queries and I am pleased to report many staff are getting their jabs and are in the contingency list where spare vaccine is available so can be called up at short notice too.
I also receive enquiries from both NHS staff and those who are either non-agency care staff or family carers. The update I received confirms that there are 70,000 Health & Care staff across Sussex and the appropriate frontline vaccination focus is underway. 20 thousand are frontline NHS & social care and in the first rollout phase. Next level will be completed in next 4 weeks and 3rd level which includes private carers is targeted for by the end of March. The local NHS are working with local authorities to help identify those in last level and are undertaking modelling of how this will roll out. I expect more details on this soon.
Delivery of vaccinations is dependent largely on the readiness of the local vaccination service and the vaccine supply and availability.
Further details & more FAQS are here: https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme/?fbclid=IwAR1Os9n-3kFxk5n3kDnSaEo7fTiwYNP5eYBTGNEXzM-qLeIL4zP54cWYRzg
Update as of 9th January 2021
I spoke to our NHS commissioners yesterday with West Sussex MPs for the very latest. By next week I am assured the plan and actions to cover the 80 West Sussex GP practices will be in place. I am sharing the latest I have.
I am aware Burgess Hill GP patients have started to received invitations for their jabs at the former Clair Hall site in Perrymount Mount Road and next week the East Court site will also go live at the Meridian Hall in East Grinstead.
I am hearing from many residents - they report have had their first jab and it was a successful, smooth process and very welcome. THANK YOU to all who are making this happen. Over 1.5 million of our most vulnerable and NHS and healthcare staff have been vaccinated already. We have much more to do but this is a vital start on getting us all through this.
Meanwhile please note our local resilience forum has declared a major incident within the NHS & is working on that footing due to staff pressures, ambulance pressures and the help they are giving to Kent & Medway patients. Please bear this in mind and keep safe.
Our hospitals & GPs too are affected by Covid impact of shielding and illness but are vaccinating their staff as planned in the Brighton hospital hub and PRH vaccine hub. They have a strong focus too on supporting their most vulnerable staff and BAME staff and this process is really helping with confidence as it helps tackle workforce supply and is truly vital to help with the staffing challenge.
A reminder the first vaccine needs careful handling and the GP surgery/school nurse roll out like the flu vaccine is simply not possible. All of this dictates how we can deliver this.Our NHS can only go as fast as vaccine availability is coming - in line with supporting all other parts of healthcare. Flow will increase over the next few weeks and this is THE crucial element for planning and effectiveness. All sites are 8am-8pm with an active view on 24hr operations where suitable once vaccine flow increases but this will need to be balanced with staffing challenges.
Four extra large Sussex vaccine sites are coming on line-
Brighton - live likely w/c 25th Jan
Crawley - live likely w/c 1st Feb
Bognor TBC
Bexhill TBC
Plus an active opportunity at Gatwick Airport is being fully explored.
Sites are defined by ability of one-way flow, resting areas, SD requirements, the size and space of venue for handling of vaccine and storage and facilities- as well as national NHS guidance too.
CARE HOMES & MOST VULNERABLE
There is a direct plan working with adult social care and more work is being done here but there is a direct plan for this area. There will be a roving team to support these and those most rural too. Family Carers are also being looked at too in regards to their vaccine but many are older come into the first wave bracket.
An extra 360 people have been onboarded and 250 trained ready to deploy where and when needed.
National plan is to cover the first 14 Million vulnerable within first tranche and it’s very pleasing to hear of many families having their loved ones called and take up is strong. As has been the flu jab this year with an 80% take up and supplies there are fine.
DRIVE THRU
Not tried or test yet. Issues of safety and rest time plus confidentiality etc
DISCHARGE TO COMMUNITY IMPACT
NHS team are actively working on further solutions on this. Biggest issue is workforce availability and broader Covid impact.
KEY INFORMATION
Reminder Pfizer is licenced for over 16s and OX/AZ is over 18s.
Next wave of vaccine priority being local at IE teachers/police/other services and other front line more details soon. Dentists are in first tranche. Those with vulnerabilities and working in their profession will be within the first tranche.
As we roll out vaccines, a key reminder of 3 things from the NHS:
1.The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn, so please do not contact us beforehand.
2. Please act on your invite when it comes.
3. Remember Hands, Face, Space. It will save lives and help the NHS
Also PLEASE ventilate rooms and Covid workspaces too.
You DO NOT need to pay for this service-please see my scam update on this plus below. You will be contacted by YOUR GP.
More details here with lots of FAQs: https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme/?fbclid=IwAR1Os9n-3kFxk5n3kDnSaEo7fTiwYNP5eYBTGNEXzM-qLeIL4zP54cWYRzg
Update as of 6th January 2021
Sussex NHS Commissioners have today confirmed to me that subject to vaccine deliveries that Burgess Hill GP practices will be coming together to be part of the current GP led vaccination centre - a programme working out of the former Clair Hall site at Perrymount Road in Haywards Heath.
I don’t have full details yet of which practices and the coverage. However it will commence next week subject to expected vaccine arrival. Meaning this will match the start up in East Grinstead- at the Meridian Hall at East Court.
I know several Burgess Hill sites have been extensively looked at and not deemed suitable including the Triangle and Cyprus Hall - and it was decided joining this existing site as it’s ready to go was best way to get soonest start and commence coverage for Burgess Hill residents. The length of time the site is needed to be available for and space are real challenges on all sites in all areas.
Please reassure your loved ones - it will be their GPs who will call and organise the appointments. This will be based on vaccine batch arrival. This operation is just starting and grows daily as supplies stabilise.
I believe that roving support at home for the most vulnerable or isolated is planned regarding concerns on any travel challenges. I will keep constituents updated on this.
This is vital news and means that three key areas within the Mid Sussex constituency will be up and running and delivering the jabs to our most vulnerable during this second week of January.
My grateful thanks goes to the hard work of these practices and their NHS support teams.
Sussex MPs meet with Commissioners on Friday for the latest and for more updates on our local roll out. I am keen to know the details for our villages too. But am aware that pharmacy support is key as is stable supplies of the UK made and produced vaccine. I reiterate it’s early days in the process but we are to deal with all of the batches on arrival.
We are working with large and small pharmacy groups, the army and the huge amount volunteers so that when there is vaccine it gets into the most vulnerable peoples arms to protect them ASAP.
Care Homes (for elderly) Update
Alongside our most senior constituents who we are focused on are, of course, our care homes for elderly residents and their dedicated staff. Whilst I have received reports that some of the larger care homes in Mid Sussex have already benefited from this vaccination programme I am assured by Sussex Commissioners that a focused programme is well underway to establish responsibility for delivery and support at the smaller homes. As I receive more details I will update via my website and Facebook.
Meanwhile this is worth a read. I met with the vaccine minister on Monday night with other MPs and we are all determined to help support this mighty effort in our communities to get this done and move forward out of lockdown and back to better times: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-9116177/amp/Vaccines-Minister-NADHIM-ZAHAWI-help-roll-Covid-19-inoculation.html?__twitter_impression=true
Update as of 1st January 2021 on Mid Sussex Vaccination Programme
Happy New Year to constituents ahead of my next meeting with the Vaccine Minister on Monday evening (4th Jan) with MPs here is the very latest locally. Please note it is very early in the national roll out.
Updates from Sussex Commissioners confirm to the MPs office that the East Grinstead area GP practices and the Burgess Hill area GP practices are actively working together for each of their areas to lead the programme for their patients.
The Meridian Hall at East Court in East Grinstead has been targeted as a potential central vaccination site and the required NHS approvals process is underway with NHS England with a targeted launch of vaccinations during w/c 11th January. This is subject to all approval and readiness preparation which includes set up, IT requirements and infection control.
Burgess Hill GPs are actively working on their requirements and it is understood they have been exploring a number of local potential sites are among them are including Cyprus Hall, being part of the Perrymount Road vaccination centre (formerly Clair Hall) and The Triangle and we await decisions and updates.
A further update is expected from Sussex Commissioners to MPs on Monday 4th January. I will hope to have more on the villages rollout.
But I stress this is very early days in the roll out which will take weeks into months to conclude. The rate of the ability of vaccine available at present to distribute is the limiting factor which will very soon change. A reminder all of this is happening on top of the crucial daily work GPs and their local teams do.
Meanwhile, the vaccination programme commenced this week in Haywards Heath, with the following practices in the area having joined forces to lead on delivering to their patients via a central site at Perrymount Road (previously Clair Hall).
- Cuckfield Medical Centre
- Dolphins Practice
- Lindfield Medical Centre
- Newtons Practice
- Northlands Wood Surgery
- Ouse Valley Practice
If you would like to volunteer to assist with the Haywards Heath practices’ rollout please email: mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk with your name and contact details and these will be passed on to the programme lead.
Across the Sussex region there is an increasing number of both hubs and GP led vaccination services who are already active. More detail is available here: https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme/covid-19-vaccination-sites/
Next steps:
With the approval of the new second vaccination source this week, this jab will not only offer an increased flow of supplies but will aid delivery of the programme due to its simpler storage requirements. It must however be recognised that this is a marathon and not a sprint, if only for the number of those who will need to be vaccinated. Vaccines must still be manufactured, tested, shipped, received and distributed to delivery sites. Suitable premises must be identified, assessed, approved and prepared - plus be available for several months access. The rollout priorities have been carefully considered to protect the most vulnerable in our society and as such you are thanked for your patience while you wait to be invited for your vaccination.
I recognise there is huge interest and concern but must be clear this is NHS and GP led and the rollout here and I will keep constituents informed. Community Pharmacy and independent pharmacies will be part of the roll out as will our forces and charities where needed too. We now have 100 thousand extra NHS volunteers already in the program which is excellent.
You may meanwhile find this leaflet from the Public Health England (PHE) useful which provides further background to the rollout in England and priority listings at present: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/948678/PHE_11920_Covid-19_why_do_I_have_to_wait_leaflet_v2.pdf
In addition I can reassure you that the UK is currently one of the top countries worldwide in terms of the current status of their programme rollout, having given more vaccinations per 100 people than any of our close neighbours. More information is available here: https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations
I will keep you updated as I get more information.
Update as of 22nd December from Sussex NHS Commissioners
I am advised that West Sussex currently has 4 active vaccination programs with 3, including the site at Perrymount Road (formerly Clair Hall), planned to come on stream from the 28th December. Further sites across the county are expected to go live from early January, including additional ones for Mid Sussex - one in Burgess Hill and another in East Grinstead. These sites are being scoped and progressed.
As explained previously, in my update of the 18th December below, our local GP practices are working collaboratively to identify and ready local sites for their roll out to their patients. It has been explained that whilst some vaccination programs of this type across the UK are already active this is typically because GP practices either had existing premises or were able to access other facilities, for example community centres or hospitals, that were deemed ‘ready’ for use in terms of set up, IT, infection control and so on, as well as having logistical capacity to accommodate this extensive program. Such sites some GPs already had outreach programmes or other such community set up which could be quickly built upon.
We are advised the current vaccine supplies are available in set batch sizes to facilitate their timely use within their shelf-life and it is hoped should further vaccines be approved ( we await news on the Oxford vaccine) that these will offer key additional options to the NHS in extending and increasing the speed of roll-out due to their different storage and handling requirements.
In terms of local care home residents and staff – there is a separate program by which care homes can directly order from the NHS, smaller batch sizes and arrange their own vaccination schedule. In fact it has been reported to me by local constituents that this has already been completed in certain homes. This is really positive news and I pay tribute to the management in these homes who have acted so pro-actively.
There is also an active program of vaccination of our NHS hospital staff across the UK and I am advised that the vaccination hospital hub at the Royal Sussex County Hospital has already started its roll-out for Brighton based staff with a similar hub coming on stream from the first week in January for PRH staff.
I will keep you updated as I get more information.
Update as of 18th December from Sussex NHS Commissioners
Currently the working expectation is that the Perrymount Road site will be part of wave four sites going live in Sussex, which are due to start vaccinating on Monday 28 December. This is subject to NHS England confirmation on the site and our final system readiness approvals.
The areas that sites have had to cover in terms of their preparations include infection control measures, how patients will move through the areas being used, safe storage of the vaccine, and digital and IT access in order to work at the site.
The preparations for each site is led by the GP practices that will be using them, their Federations where appropriate, and NHS supporting teams including primary care, medicines management, infection control and digital.
For Perrymount Road, MDSC has supported the GP practices to ensure that the site has working facilities, but the readiness preparations and approvals are led by the NHS.
Original detail (first published 16th December)
Across Sussex, GP practices are working together to consider how and where they will be able to offer the COVID-19 vaccination to their patients.
A group of GP practices in Haywards Heath is keen to make use of the site on Perrymount Road (formerly known as Clair Hall) as their Local Vaccination Service site, following the kind offer from Mid Sussex District Council. An application for this site has been submitted and - along with other sites across the area - was reviewed last week to assure its readiness to go live.
Following this initial review, further work was needed to ensure the site would be ready to go live as a local vaccination service [see update as of 18th December above]. There was also the added complexity that there was a mobile testing unit on site this week and we, therefore, need to consider the safety of our most vulnerable local people who would be the first to be invited onto sites to receive the vaccination.
I can assure you that the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will continue to work directly with the GP practices who will be leading the vaccination service across Mid Sussex. This is key in order to ensure the site can meet all the readiness checks to make sure their ‘go-live’ point is a success for local people.
In Sussex, health services commenced vaccinations for the over 80s group last week, with the launch of a hospital hub at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. The hospital received the first supply of the vaccine on 8 December and started vaccinating inpatients and outpatients over the age of 80 as well as high-risk hospital staff in line with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance.
Today the first phase of GP-led local vaccination services started offering the vaccine to patients across Sussex. Eight sites are going live today and tomorrow, including two in the Horsham area, one in Crawley and The Glebe in Storrington. Further sites will be going live later this week and over the coming weeks.
In addition to further GP led local vaccination services, the programme will also expand over the coming weeks and months at the following sites:
- More hospital hubs
- Larger vaccination centres
- A roving service to take the vaccine into care homes and people’s own homes if they cannot attend a vaccination site.
We will continue to update you as more sites go live in your area.
Key messages from the NHS to the public:
- You will be contacted by the first NHS service that is able to offer you a vaccination. This may be your GP, one of the hospital hubs or another NHS service.
- Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, they will contact you.
- When the NHS does contact you, please attend your booked appointments.
- Please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives.
Please keep visiting my website for updates or look to my Facebook Page!
VOLUNTEERS
As of 19th January I am delighted to confirm that we have received news from the Clair Hall vaccination site volunteer supervisor that they have had an overwhelming number of volunteers come forward and are fully staffed at this time.
There may be opportunities at other sites and enquiries can be directed here:
Non-Medical Volunteer Enquiries: If you would like to volunteer for this NHS led Covid-19 vaccination programme non-medical volunteer opportunities are being co-ordinated via Sussex Community NHS Trust and I would encourage you to read their FAQs available here https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/downloads/misc-documents/volunteer-faqs-december2020.pdf . If you have a question about volunteering please email sc-tr.volunteervaccinesteward@nhs.net. ( https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/covid19vaccine.htm) .
Medical/Volunteer vaccinators Enquiries: If you are a registered current, or retired, health professional and you are able to travel to BRIGHTON, you can register an expression of interest to become a volunteer vaccinator by emailing your details to sc-tr.volunteervaccinesteward@nhs.net
Please note your email must contain the following information:
- Your title, first name and surname
- A contact number and email address
- Registration status - current or retire
Please note, volunteer vaccinator roles are only available in Brighton (Information correct as of 11th Jan 2021)
Registering as a Volunteer: You can now register directly and choose your own shift times on the same site as is used by medical and NHS personnel. Medical, NHS, and private volunteers now all register with LANTUM, not through the website but only through the following link: https://info.lantum.com/abc_vaccination_bank
Instructions for private volunteers are as follows:
- Via the Lantum link, create an account, then to choose shifts on the rota, click on ‘Find Work’ button (top middle of the page), then selecting the position of Marshal in the left hand filter.
- Ignore instructions to upload documents or billing instructions – these don’t apply to volunteers.
- You will be able to update your information in due course, to show any special information or skills, such as ex-police, etc.
- If you have problems logging on, please clear your PC’s cache.
- More guidance is available in the document attached at the bottom of this webpage.