First doses of vaccine are rolled out
The first doses of the coronavirus vaccine were rolled out across Horsham District on Tuesday.
Two centres in Horsham and a third in Storrington will cater to hundreds of patients across the district in a bid to end the coronavirus pandemic.
Park Surgery in the town centre will vaccinate its own patients as well as those from Holbrook Surgery, Orchard Surgery and Riverside Surgery.
Blue Coats Sports Centre in Christ’s Hospital will vaccinate patients from Cowfold Surgery, Rudgwick Medical Centre, the Courtyard Surgery and Village Surgery while the Glebe Surgery in Storrington will immunise its own patients.
With doses limited, the over-80s will be given the lifesaving jab first as well as care home workers and residents, identified as priority groups.
The rollout, the biggest vaccination programme in
NHS history began last week in hospital hubs.
Lucy Barber, practice manager at Park Surgery, said they were very pelased to be chosen and proud to be providing the service. “It has been gratifying to see the local residents offering their assistance as volunteers for the clinics, as well as the Red Cross. This is testament to the local community coming together in support,” she said.
“We would like to thank all of our staff and partners who have worked so hard to make this happen within short timescales, allowing us to offer this vital service to keep the residents of Horsham safe.”
Allison Cannon, Chief Nursing Officer at Sussex Commissioners, said it marked a significant day in Sussex. She added: “It has been incredible to see the efforts of GP practices and teams across Sussex coming together to work collectively to prepare for today and I am proud of everyone who is involved.”
She said more sites would be going live in the coming
days, and GP surgery staff would be directly contacting those who are eligble.
Dr David Holwell, senior partner at Park Surgery, said thejabofferedtheopportunity to make ‘such a difference to everyone in Horsham’.
He added: “This is what’s going to get us back to where we all need to be. We need to do it well, we need to do it safely.
“It’s a good vaccine effective, it’s safe.”
Margaret Walker, 80, was the first person to receive the jab in Horsham. She said: “I’m quite relieved. It’s very good, [I’m] very pleased.”
John Elsden, 89, who was also vaccinated, added: “You hardly feel it.”
Dr Samir Khan, clinical director for the primary care network, said: “It’s just like it’s
the flu jab. But all that special preparation for it adds to the occasion.
“People have been waiting for this for a long time. It gives that hope that there is some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Gerald Cheal, 83, told the County Times he wasn’t excited ahead of the jab. He added: “[It’s] just a sharp prick.”
Brenda Butson, 80, said the
vaccine was‘just like any other needle’. She added: “The staff here have been great. They have had a lot to deal with.”
Jenny Cheal, 82, said she ‘didn’t even feel’ the jab. She said she and her husband are looking forward to going out for a meal once they are immune.
Jenny added: “It’s a big relief to know that we will be immune to it.”