Amid concerns about the effectiveness of the Oxford-AstraZeneca’s jab against the South African variant, the Prime Minister said on Monday he is very confident in the COVID vaccines being used in the UK which are very effective in delivering a high degree of protection against serious illness. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer stressed there was plenty of evidence that vaccines were effective against this variant and urged people to get a jab.
People aged 70 or older in England who have not yet had their coronavirus vaccine, but would like to, are being asked to contact the NHS. A national booking system is available that can be accessed online or people can call 119 free of change between 07:00 and 23:00. Until now the NHS has asked people to wait until they are contacted to help ensure that those who are most vulnerable are protected first. With approximately 500,000 vaccinations being dispensed on a daily basis, it is hoped that by mid-February 15.9 million people would have had their first vaccine
In West Sussex 91.5% of the over 80s have had their first vaccine and 74% of the most vulnerable people have been vaccinated. Those who have had their first jab will get an appointment within 12 weeks for their second dose which will be carried out at the same venue as the first dose.
Some GP surgeries are able to administer the vaccines but where this is not possible people would be invited to attend National Vaccine Centres which have opened around the country including Brighton, Portsmouth, Crawley and Eastbourne. Various pharmacies are also able to dispense the vaccines and some mobile sites are opening in various locations. Plans are being made for a possible central site in Chichester. Patients registered housebound with their GP will be offered an at home appointment.
For the latest news on vaccinations for Bury parishioners please refer to the information you will find on the surgery website. For patients of the Pulborough Medical Group please see here: – https://www.pmgdoctors.co.uk
If registered with the Arundel Surgery please see here: – Arundel Surgery
Keep well and stay safe – and do be careful during the current cold spell which is likely to be with us for some days yet. If you need help with shopping or prescriptions please contact:
Fr. Peter Mallinson (Bury) 839057 or Ken & Diana Rowsell (West Burton) 831475
