West Sussex COVID-19 Vaccination Update 6th Jan 2021
West Sussex COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Introduction
Work continues at pace to roll out the vaccination across Sussex.
Vaccinations are taking place in
- Hospital hubs;
- GP led vaccination services;
- Roving service to care homes and housebound; and
- Planning for large vaccination services (formerly known as mass sites).
Hospital hubs
Hospital hubs in Sussex were launched at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on 08 December 2020. Teams at the hospital have been vaccinating those over the age of 80 who were attending the hospital and health and care staff.
In West Sussex, Worthing Hospital went live as a hospital hub last week, Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath went live today and St Richard’s Hospital and East Surrey Hospital (for residents in the north of the county) go live this week.
Princess Royal Hospital is one of the first in the country to use the new AstraZeneca vaccine.
Other hospital hubs in Sussex include The Conquest Hospital in Hastings (went live last week) and Eastbourne Hospital (due to go live this week).
GP led vaccination services
GP led vaccination services went live on the 15 December.
These are sites run by groups of GP practices working together. In total in Sussex there are 15 sites which have gone live to date.
To date there have been eight sites in West Sussex which have started vaccinating their patients who are over the age of 80:
- Crawley – two sites
- Horsham – two sites
- Pulborough
- Storrington
- Haywards Heath
- Angmering
Further sites in West Sussex are going live this week:
- Bognor Regis
- Durrington on Sea, Worthing
- Shoreham by Sea
- Crawley
- Goring by Sea, Worthing
There are then further sites expected next week following final approvals, including Chichester.
A full list of sites is available here: https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme/covid-19-vaccination-sites/
Care homes – roving service
This week, Sussex Primary Care Networks (PCNs), GPs and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust have started vaccinating residents and staff in care homes, with the first eight care homes now vaccinated across Sussex. Care homes in West Sussex will be vaccinated over the coming weeks starting with those with over 50 residents.
COVID-19 vaccination scam alert
We are aware that some people are receiving fraudulent calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination. In some cases, people are asked to press a number on their keypad or to send a text message to confirm they wish to receive the vaccine. Doing so is likely to result in a charge being applied to their phone bill. In other cases, callers are offering the vaccine for a fee or asking for bank details.
People are warned to be alert to these scams. The vaccine is only available from the NHS and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn. At present, appointments are only being offered to members of the public over 80 years old.
The NHS will:
NEVER ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text asking you to confirm you want the vaccine.
NEVER ask for payment for the vaccine or for your bank details.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, report it to Sussex Police online or by calling 101.
More information
The roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to be an incredible effort from our Trusts, member practices and from teams across the CCGs, showing true partnership working at its best.
We continue to publish all of the latest information on the vaccine of the Sussex Health and Care Partnership website including a public FAQ, which you may find useful. An FAQ with suggested replies to common enquiries is also attached to this briefing to help you with the questions you may be receiving.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about vaccinations and when you will receive it
NHS FAQ's Comms (1) Jan 5th 2021