Slough Primary Care colleagues have been busy getting residents vaccinated against Covid-19
The roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination sites in Slough continue to go from strength to strength in line with national timelines and guidance.
The majority of Slough residents aged 80 and over, including those residing in local care homes as well as those who are housebound, have now received their first dose of the vaccine in line with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) guidelines
This work is being carried out by the four local Primary Care Networks across Slough: LOCC, SPINE, SHAPE and Central Slough Network. As well as vaccinating local care homes, the Primary Care Networks have been delivering the vaccine to their registered populations at local vaccination centres.
Dr Nithya Nanda Clinical Director – SPINE Primary Care Network Slough said “Our teams have been out and about vaccinating housebound patients with the vaccine. It has been an immense privilege, as in some cases we were the first person to have walked through their front door in months.”
Dr Raj Bhargava Clinical Director – Central Slough Network Slough said” We want everyone to know we have a well-run system in place with social distancing — so don’t be afraid to come and get vaccinated.”
The vaccination centres have been supported by the wonderful #OneSlough volunteers who have given up their time to ensure the smooth running of supporting patients that have been invited for the vaccine since December.
The centres are staffed by NHS — GP’s, nurses and staff and aided by volunteers who are co-ordinated by Slough Council for Voluntary Services.
Jamie Green One Slough Co-Chair - “A lot of people are coming out of the house for the first time since March and they’re often quite anxious. We make sure they feel reassured and safe.”
The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus.
Dr Asif Ali Clinical Director – LOCC Primary Care Network Slough said "We encourage all residents across Slough, especially those from our diverse communities to take up the offer for vaccination when contacted by their GP surgery. The Covid-19 vaccines are safe and have been used widely across the UK and worldwide with good effect.
He continued “We understand that people within our local community have questions they would like to ask about the vaccine. To support this, we are partnering with community and religious leaders to run a series of local online events, to help people access accurate information, and offer the chance to talk through their concerns. We have information available in various different languages which we are sharing through our channels and really hope to reach our ethnic minority groups. We want to empower our local communities to step forward and take up the vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
Dr Bharan Kumar Clinical Director – SHAPE Primary Care Network Slough advised “Getting vaccinated only protects you from the virus, so you will still need to follow the Government guidelines and continue to practice social distancing, wear a face mask and continue to wash your hands carefully and frequently when you are out and about.”
If you are a registered patient at any of the Slough practices, and are eligible for the COVID vaccine in line with the phased roll-out set out by the JVCI, then you will be invited to attend a booked appointment.
People aged 70 and over who have not yet been vaccinated against Covid and who would like to, are being asked to contact the NHS. The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them. If a suitable and convenient slot is not available people can also call their GP practice.
Many who have not yet booked an appointment are already receiving follow up letters and phone calls this week to encourage them to take up the offer of a jab.
All that is asked of people is that they book one appointment only and cancel the appointment they are not going to attend, to avoid vaccine wastage and to ensure that the NHS can reach as many people as they can, as quickly as possible in line with JVCI guidance as to which groups of people to vaccinate.
For more information on the vaccine, please visit www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination
