Covid19 vaccinations

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Adur Health Partnership are now delivering both the covid booster and flu vaccines. We are working 7 days a week, vaccinating patients on Saturdays and Sundays (8-2pm) so as not to disrupt our weekday care. Each weekend we are giving between 1000 and 2000 vaccines but even at this speed it will take quite a time before we can offer the covid boosters to all 15,000 eligible patients. We would encourage you to consider using the national booking system to arrange a covid booster at other centres such as Brighton when you get the NHS text or letter.

The booster is the Pfizer vaccine (now known as Comirnaty) and can be given from 6 months after your second dose. We are also delivering 1^st doses, second doses and for some groups of immunosuppressed patients an early 3^rd dose. Please click on the link for national guidance on eligibility for boosters: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine/

We will invite patients through an Adur Health Partnership text or phone call so please don’t call in until you’ve had our invite. We are over halfway through vaccinating our hundreds of care home residents and once this is complete we will start to plan for any bedbound patients who are unable to attend the Northbourne vaccination centre.

We would be very keen for anyone who hasn’t had their first or second doses to book in at this stage. Please contact the surgery and if you’d like, we’d be very happy to discuss any concerns which might have made you hold back.

Thanks for all your support at this difficult time.

Latest figures for Shoreham and Southwick

Well over 90% of patients over 65 have now been vaccinated and we are getting close to this figure for the 50+ age group too.

Are you over 50 years old?

If you are aged 50 and over and have not yet booked in for your appointment please do so asap.   We still have a lot of appointments to offer for Saturday 10^th April for first vaccination at Northbourne Medical Centre.

Second vaccination update

We are now in the process of carrying out second vaccinations.  This week several teams have been out to our Care Homes and have started the second vaccinations for the residents. 

Housebound patients will follow shortly.

Next clinics

We have lots of clinics coming up over the next few weeks:

Friday 2^nd April – Fully booked

Saturday 10^th April – Appointment available for first and second Astra Zeneca vaccination. 

The next clinics following those dates will be: Friday 16^th April, Sat 16^th April and Sunday 17^th April for second dose Pfizer vaccinations.

Will you have difficulty getting to your vaccination:

Sussex residents who have no means to get to their COVID-19 vaccination appointment are now able to book a free return journey to help them attend. 

To book free travel please book your vaccination appointment first and then call:

• 01444 275 008 for West Sussex residents

to speak to a travel coordinator. The booking service is available between 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Monday to Friday. 

Once you are through to a travel coordinator you will be asked the following questions:

• Do you have access to transport to attend your vaccine appointment?
• Do you have a family member, friend or carer who can help with transport? They do not have to be in your bubble as per government guidelines.

If both of these options are not available the travel coordinator will arrange transport for you, including any additional needs such as wheelchair-friendly vehicles.

All transport providers have signed up to a COVID-19 safety policy to ensure that all precautions are in place for a safe journey.

Reassurance about the use of Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine

We are aware that there are concerns being raised by members of the public following reports of blood clots in relation to the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and, most recently, the Irish authorities’ action to temporarily suspend this vaccine.

This briefing helps to provide key messages to be able to respond to any concerns and to encourage uptake of the vaccination.

Key messages:

• We are aware that there have been reports about the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, however the UK regulators are clear that the vaccine should continue to be used and people should attend their appointments.
• The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines and is responsible for the regulation of the vaccines being offered as part of this programme and they have reviewed all of the evidence.
• Their statement says that the available evidence does not suggest that blood clots in veins (venous thromboembolism) are caused by COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and people should go to their appointments as this is vital protection from COVID-19.
• This follows a detailed review of reported cases as well as data from hospital admissions and GP records.
• There is no evidence that blood clots in the veins are occurring more often in people who have received the vaccine than in people who have not, for either vaccine.
• The MHRA’s advice remains that the benefits of the vaccine against COVID-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, continue to outweigh the risks of potential side effects.
• People should go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so.
• Please continue to attend your appointment – this is really important protection for you and others
• Please work with us to book your appointment – this is really important protection for you.

Support during the Coronavirus disruption – Adur & Worthing Councils

Those people in the community who are feeling vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak are being given the opportunity to connect with a neighbourhood team that may be able to help.

Adur and Worthing Councils together with colleagues in the NHS and volunteers are currently establishing neighbourhood teams which will help vulnerable people who are isolated and in need of help with practical issues (see below)

 If you have received a letter or text from the NHS or your Doctors Surgery titled “Important Advice”, as someone at risk of severe illness please also ensure you have registered with gov.uk to ensure that you receive  additional support from the government and West Sussex County Council, this includes provision of a basic food package and household essentials will be supplied and delivered by major food service suppliers with established national delivery infrastructure. 

Alongside this help for those who have received the letter we aim to support people living alone and self isolating without help from friends or family.

Community support might include help with food, help with money for example benefit claims, having someone to talk to, mental health support, safety advice, for example avoiding ‘scams’, and with accessing digital services

We aim to assess and support your needs as soon as possible and will deal with urgent requests first. Personal details will be safely shared with our community partners, which includes registered volunteers. Follow this link to register

https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/coronavirus/community-support/

If you cannot do so it is fine to ask a family member or friend from whom you are currently isolated to do it for you. This is the most efficient way of registering for help. If you cannot go online you can ring a hotline to register and someone will complete this form on your behalf on 01903 221222 which will be open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. You should expect some delays if you choose this option.

Once you have filled in this form your needs will be assessed and if deemed appropriate passed to one of our Neighbourhood Teams who will arrange to contact you.

We anticipate that many of the issues that people might need help with might include:

• Help with food 
• Financial guidance – help with your money, for example benefits claims
• Social isolation – Someone to talk to
• Mental health support 
• Safety advice – scams
• Support with accessing digital technology

Coronavirus information

Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NHS in England and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

The latest information on symptoms of Coronovirus infection and areas where recent travel may have resulted in a high risk of exposure can be found on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.

Use this service if:

•     you think you might have coronavirus;
•     in the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus;
•     you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone.

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.

Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Register to volunteer

We also need volunteers to help with relief efforts. We need staff that you might not be using right now and can be re-tasked and also members of the community that can volunteer.

Tasks will be suited to people’s skills and what they are able to do.   

https://adur-worthing-eforms.onmats.com/w/webpage/volunteer-to-help