Hailsham Town Council has not been directly involved in the coordination of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. However, the Town Clerk has been discussing this issue with the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and local county councillors. Of course, the Town Council shares your concern that the residents of Hailsham are given swift access to the vaccination programme.
The NHS in Sussex continues to make good progress with the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme and is working to vaccinate as many people as possible as quickly as possible. This is the largest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and it will take time to get it to everyone. The pace of progress depends to a large extent on the availability and supply of the vaccine.
As the vaccine is rolled out there are three important messages for the public:
GPs from the town’s three surgeries – Bridgeside Surgery, Hailsham Medical Group and The Quintins Medical Centre – are working in partnership with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust to roll out the vaccination services and vaccinations have already commenced at these surgeries.
“The vaccination programme for people aged over 80 in Hailsham and the surrounding area is already progressing well and those in the priority group that haven’t already should be offered the vaccination soon,” said Town Mayor and Chairman of Hailsham Town Council, Cllr Paul Holbrook.
“The timing for when individuals in the priority groups will be able to receive their vaccination depends significantly on the availability of the vaccine at the time – and the particular priority group they are in of course.”
“Please remember that this is the biggest vaccination programme in history and as I say, everyone will be contacted and offered the vaccine when it’s their time. Please be patient, your turn will come.”
“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.”
A spokesperson for the Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme said: “We are delighted that vaccinations have been able to take place in Hailsham and we thank the teams from the town’s three GP practices for their incredibly hard work to make this happen. We are committed to vaccinating the first four priority groups by mid-February and this is a really positive step forward for local people.”
East Sussex county councillor for Hailsham, Cllr Gerard Fox, commented: “I’m really pleased that a plan for local rollout of the vaccination programme via the Hailsham GP surgeries has been agreed and is in the process of being executed. My understanding is that vaccination of care home residents was substantially completed over the weekend, while surgery-based vaccination of over 80s commenced on Saturday.”
“I’m keen to remind residents receiving the first dose that immunity builds gradually over time and that they must continue to take great care and continue to follow NHS safety guidance. Receiving the first dose does not mean that you cannot get the virus, but it should make you less vulnerable once the vaccine takes full effect.”
“Please be patient. The NHS will contact you when it is your turn to be vaccinated. It is my hope and expectation that by mid-February, all four vulnerable tiers identified by the Government will have been vaccinated in Hailsham.”
“Councillor Bob Bowdler and I would like to thank the Sussex NHS Commissioners, NHS staff, local volunteers and the Hailsham GP surgeries for their work in helping to contain the Covid pandemic. Bob and I continue to be available to help articulate any concerns that may arise on behalf of the town.”
For more information about the programme, including a Frequent Asked Questions please visit this website: https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk