Local MP Alan Mak has hailed the uplifting and inspirational work of local GPs, nurses and NHS staff for delivering a fast start to the COVID-19 vaccination programme after visiting all 3 major vaccination centres serving the Havant Constituency.
It comes after the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in the health service’s history, has got off to a strong start with hard-working staff delivering more than 7.5 million Covid vaccinations nationally – more than one in ten adults have now been vaccinated. The Prime Minister has set an ambitious target to deliver vaccinations to 14 million of the most vulnerable people against COVID-19 by the Spring.
Locally, Hampshire is one of the strongest performing areas in the country and as of 28 January more than 220,000 vaccines had been administered. In the Havant Constituency NHS staff have already delivered jabs to more than 80 per cent of over 80s.
Mr Mak visited all three major local vaccination sites – at Hayling Island Health Centre, Emsworth Baptist Church and Waterlooville Health Centre. In addition, local residents can also receive vaccinations at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
During his visits, Alan heard from the local doctors about their work to vaccinate all priority groups that have been designated by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Speaking after visiting the sites, Mr Mak said he was confident that the continued acceleration of the vaccination programme could help to bring Coronavirus under control in our area.
He said: “Our local GPs and NHS staff are doing inspirational work in getting our vaccination programme up and running and delivering thousands of vaccines to local residents. Both vaccines they are using at the local centres are independently approved, safe and administered by fully trained staff.
“Thanks to the dedication of our local NHS vaccination staff we use the vaccines to get Coronavirus under control. But it is important that in the meantime, we continue to stay at home and follow the national lockdown rules that will help alleviate pressure on our NHS.”
NHS England have advised that people will receive an invitation to come forward to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This could be a phone call, text message or a letter, either from their GP or the national NHS. Residents should wait to be contacted rather than calling their local surgery.
Dr Hannah Morgan, a Hayling Island GP and Clinical Director of the Hayling Island & Emsworth Primary Care Network, who has been leading the local vaccination rollout, said: “It was brilliant to show Alan the work that our local doctors, nurses and NHS staff are doing to vaccinate local residents. While we are working as fast as we can, it is important that residents wait to be contacted by the NHS about when they will receive the vaccine.”
Pictures: Alan with a vial of the AstraZeneca / Oxford University Coronavirus Vaccine
Alan with Dr Anthony Renton at Emsworth Baptist Church
Alan with Dr Hannah Morgan, Clinical Director of the Hayling Island & Emsworth Primary Care Network at the Hayling Health Centre
Alan with Dr Duncan Pickup from the Waterlooville Health Centre
