Dorset Vaccine update
As the immense task of rolling out the Covid-19 vaccines to the UK population is underway, I would like to provide Dorset residents with an update of the situation here.
Dorset is following the guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which means those people who are most at risk will be invited first. See link here to the national advice.
This is the order of priority:
- residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
- all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
- all those 75 years of age and over
- all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
- all those 65 years of age and over
- all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
- all those 60 years of age and over
- all those 55 years of age and over
- all those 50 years of age and over
The rollout has started in care homes, with some Dorset residents being among the first in the country to get a vaccine. There were also vaccines at Dorchester hospital – with the first vaccines being administered there on 8th December.
There are now over 15 active vaccination sites across Dorset, with more being added this week:
Purbeck
Wareham hospital are already inviting people from across Purbeck for their vaccine this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with more people being invited as soon as more vaccine is delivered.
You can find updates from Wareham surgery here https://warehamsurgery.nhs.uk/ and Bere Regis surgery here https://bereregissurgery.nhs.uk/
Poole
The Poole hospital site for vaccinations is also starting this week, and patients of The Adam Practice which serves many local residents will be asked to go to Poole Port – with updates here https://www.adampractice.co.uk/news.aspx This will include residents from Lytchett Matravers, Lytchett Minster & Upton.
Residents in Broadstone, Merley, Corfe Mullen & Canford Heath will be getting the vaccine at The Hamworthy Club, and you can find more details here:
Broadstone: https://www.theharveypractice.co.uk/news.aspx?p=J81046
Corfe Mullen: https://www.thehadleighpractice.nhs.uk/news.aspx?p=J81041
Canford Heath: https://www.chgp.co.uk/
Wimborne
The Quarterjack surgery, Walford Mill Medical Practice & The Old Dispensary are currently using the St Leonards hospital site for vaccinations. You can find more details here:
https://www.quarterjacksurgery.co.uk/
https://www.wimbornegp.co.uk/page1.aspx?p=25&pr=J81077#
https://www.theolddispensary.co.uk/
Bearwood
Residents may be asked to travel to Talbot Medical centre for their vaccine, and relevant groups are already being invited. More details here https://bearwoodmedicalpractice.co.uk/
More sites in addition to those above will be coming soon as part of the roll-out of local vaccination services.
Meanwhile, across the country, vaccination centres treating large numbers of patients in sporting venues and conference centres will subsequently stand up across the country when further supplies of vaccine become available. One of these will be at the BIC, and you may receive a letter inviting you for a vaccine if you are in one of the relevant groups.
Can You Help?
The NHS locally need volunteers to help with the vaccine rollout. This is to help with roles such as marshalling and directing people. Do you know someone that would like to be part of this rewarding and significant programme to help stop COVID-19 in our local community? Maybe they are furloughed, working part time, or are retired?
Please encourage any of your family or friends who might be interested to find out more and contact us via the below website: https://joinourdorset.nhs.uk/helpstopcovid/
You can also get general updates about the vaccine across Dorset here: https://www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/
I know people are anxious about when they and their loved ones will get the vaccine but please do not call the NHS to ask when. When it’s your turn, the NHS will call you to book your appointment. The NHS will not ask you to apply for the vaccine and there is no charge.
The NHS supported by our Armed Forces and the voluntary sector are working at pace to get the vaccine rolled out as soon as more doses are produced by the manufacturers and received by the NHS.
Please continue to practise Hands Face Space and follow the lockdown regulations - now the Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out, it is more important than ever we all play our part in stopping the spread of this virus.
