How the vaccination system is working in Eastbourne

More than 70,000 people in East Sussex have now received the Covid vaccination and ‘the pace is accelerating’, according to Eastbourne’s MP.
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Caroline Ansell said, “We remain in the dark grip of the virus but the light in the distance is getting stronger with every local jab given.”

She said that as of January 12, 70,000 people in East Sussex have been given the vaccination and the process ‘is now in full swing and progress is very good indeed’.

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Mrs Ansell said, “I have been assured by East Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group, which is are leading the local programme, that we have enough vaccine doses to do our bit in meeting the Prime Minister’s mid-February national target of vaccinating 15 million vulnerable people who make up 88 per cent of Covid fatalities.”

The DGH started vaccinations on January 4, something Mrs Ansell said will ‘help the trust with resilience over the coming weeks and months’.

She said, “There is understandably great pressure to vaccinate key workers, our teachers, police officers and supermarket staff to name just three groups exposed to risk of infection in the course of their duties, and it will happen.

“We owe a great deal to all those on their respective frontlines but it is our most vulnerable who are the highest priority.”

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The priority groups being targeted first, who should be vaccinated by mid-February according to government aims, are care home residents, over 70s, health and care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

Mrs Ansell said she has spoken to local care homes and they have told her the vaccine drive is going well. She also said she is ‘monitoring the situation constantly’.

Where can I have my jab?

When you are eligible for your vaccination, you will be contacted by the NHS. People are being told not contact to their GPs about getting the vaccine.

There are also a number of GP led vaccination services available:

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- The Beacon Shopping Centre vaccination centre is for patients at Victoria Medical Centre.

- The Hampden Park Health Centre is for patients at Arlington Road Surgery, Grove Road Surgery, Park Practice, Seaside Medical Centre and The Lighthouse Medical Practice.

- The Princes Park Health Centre is for patients at Harbour Medical Practice and Sovereign Practice.

If you cannot see your GP practice listed you will still have access to the vaccine. Some GP practices did not feel they were able to deliver the vaccination while continuing with general practice services. Alternative arrangements are being finalised and these will be confirmed very soon.

How and where do I get a test?

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If you have symptoms and believe you need a test then you can request a home kit by going to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling NHS 119.

There are also local testing sites which can be attended by appointment only. There is a walk-through site at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne and in the Upper Helenswood Academy car park in Hastings.

The nearest drive-through sites are at on Wainwright Road in Bexhill, Plumpton racecourse and Gatwick.

Mrs Ansell said, “The vaccine is our great hope against the virus but until this vaccine is embedded in our communities and its protection is active, we must adhere to the lockdown rules especially as the new variant of the virus is so much more transmissible.”