Latest Message to Residents from the Mayor of Hailsham

“Whilst the Town Council has not been directly involved in the coordination of the COVID-19 vaccination programme locally, it has however, been in frequent discussions in recent weeks with the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Commissioners.

From these discussions, we have been able to communicate to our residents, the latest updates concerning the vaccination programme and, of course, the Town Council shares your concern that the Hailsham residents are given swift access to the vaccinations when it is their turn.

The NHS in Sussex continues to make good progress with the programme and is working to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible. Remember, this is undoubtedly the largest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and it will take time to get it to everyone.

Perhaps one of the most crucial of messages to residents is that the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn. Services are very busy providing care and actioning the vaccinations, so please wait to be contacted.

In the meantime, adhering to the current restrictions and remembering hands, face and space will save lives and help the NHS. The vaccine is probably our best defence against COVID-19, but for now it is essential that we continue to do all we can to stop the spread of the virus by following the Government guidelines.

Equally important is the fact that, once you’ve had your vaccination, it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity – protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Therefore, it is possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination.

So, it is essential not to get complacent once you’ve had your vaccination – and please continue to observe social distancing and follow the latest Government guidelines to protect others around you.

The distribution plans for the vaccination programme are constantly evolving, and the Town Council will endeavour to publish further updates as soon as they are received from NHS Sussex.

Whilst many of us had a bad 2020 due to the terrible pandemic and continue to face many challenges since the start of the new year, things are beginning to look positive. The rest of 2021 brings the hope that we will see a noticeable reduction in the number of infection cases, if as many of us as possible seek the protection needed from COVID-19 and have the vaccine when it’s available to you.

With the new vaccines, it is estimated that we should be able to protect ourselves from the virus considerably and return to some semblance of normality in our daily lives later in the year.

We just need to be patient and continue to follow social distancing and hygiene guidelines – and other protection measures for the benefit of local community health.

Regarding my role as Town Mayor, although the first part of the year has still been rocky, I am looking forward avidly to the remaining few months in my term of office as Mayor and Chairman. I feel honoured to serve and represent the people of Hailsham and hope to meet you all at future civic engagements when restrictions are eased.

Your Town Council is continuing to support the community during the pandemic and is working hard to ensure that government guidelines relating to social distancing and protection from COVID-19 are met. In doing so, some facilities and services remain closed, or are accessible but with restrictions in place.

For the protection of residents and our staff, the Town Council offices in Market Street remain closed, although officers are working remotely where possible to keep many services running. The main phone line is open during office hours (9am-4pm, Monday to Friday – except public holidays).

Members of the public are encouraged to follow the Town Council social media pages and the following web page for updates on Council services and facilities: https://www.hailsham-tc.gov.uk/coronavirus-postponement-of-council-activities/.

Thank you everyone and stay safe.”