Coronavirus vaccine to begin rollout in Horsham District

Two centres in Horsham and a third in Storrington will cater to hundreds of patients across the district in a bid to end the coronavirus pandemic.

Park Surgery in the town centre will jab its own patients as well as those from Holbrook Surgery, Orchard Surgery and Riverside Surgery.

Blue Coats Sports Centre in Christ’s Hospital will vaccinate patients from Cowfold Surgery, Rudgwick Medical Centre, the Courtyard Surgery and Village Surgery while the Glebe Surgery in Storrington will immunise its own patients.

With doses limited, the over-80s will be given the life-saving jab first as well as care home workers and residents, identified as priority groups.

The rollout, the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history began last week in hospital hubs.

Lucy Barber, practice manager at Park Surgery, said: “Park Surgery are very pleased to be chosen as the site for Covid-19 vaccinations in Horsham, starting week commencing 14th December.

“We are proud to be providing this service from Park Surgery in conjunction with our partner surgeries Orchard Surgery, Riverside Surgery and Holbrook Surgery in the Horsham Central Primary Care Network.

“It has been gratifying to see the local residents offering their assistance as volunteers for the clinics, as well as the Red Cross. This is testament to the local community coming together in support.

“We would like to thank all of our staff and partners who have worked so hard to make this happen within short timescales, allowing us to offer this vital service to keep the residents of Horsham safe.”

Allison Cannon, Chief Nursing Officer at Sussex Commissioners, said today marks a significant day in Sussex.

She added: “It has been incredible to see the efforts of GP practices and teams across Sussex coming together to work collectively to prepare for today and I am proud of everyone who is involved.

“Just as with our hospital colleagues last week, GPs and their teams have been planning for this alongside providing day to day care for their patients and delivering the flu campaign, which demonstrates just how important this is.

“These sites are only the first GP led vaccination services for our area and we will see many more going live over the coming days and weeks to reach across our entire population and ensure the most vulnerable are protected against COVID-19.

“We won’t be vaccinating everyone all at once - it will be a relatively small number at first - but this is a phased roll out to reach everyone, and I would urge everyone who is contacted to attend your appointment and receive this important protection.”

Members of the public are being urged not to contact their GP surgery with staff contacting those eligible for a vaccine directly.

An NHS spokesman added: “When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments; and please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives.

“For straightforward steps to keep yourself and others safe and get help if you need it, visit www.keepsussexsafe.uk”