This article was originally published in the Bromsgrove Standard, 07/01/2020: https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/bromsgrove-primary-care-network-s…
A CORONAVIRUS vaccination roll-out by the Bromsgrove Primary Care Network (PCN) starts tomorrow across the district.
The PCN’s clinical director Dr David Hughes said: “We are excited to get this service up and running.
“By working together our nine practices expect to make sure that all 800 patients in the locality care homes and many staff there will be vaccinated in the first 24 hours.
“We will then follow national guidelines to focus on the most clinically vulnerable and at risk groups including all patients over 80, frontline healthcare professionals and carers.”
He added deliveries were expected to be unpredictable for a couple of weeks but it is expected to lead to more than 2,500 vaccines per week being delivered from BHI Parkside building.
As more certain vaccine supplies come online, they will then be delivered from individual surgeries.
Dr Hughes pleaded with people to be patient as staff tried to meet the huge challenge and save lives.
“We are working with very limited delivery notice and are really trying to make sure we don’t waste a single vaccine.”
People should not call surgeries as it will have a detrimental effect on the rapid roll-out agenda.
The PCN team is keen to stress it will be in touch with patients when it is their turn.
If supplies allow, practices are geared up to deliver up to 10,000 vaccines.
The team is keen to stress that they will be in touch with patients to come in for vaccination by phone and patients should avoid calling surgeries about this as it will impact on ability to keep up with the rapid roll out agenda.
If supplies permit, practices are geared up to deliver as many as 10,000 vaccines to the most at risk before the end of the current lockdown.
Bromsgrove MP, Sajid Javid said:
"It's fantastic news that more vaccines will be available for residents in Bromsgrove District and it's another big step in our local fight against Covid-19. The vaccines will be targeted towards priority groups and delivered by GP practices, who will contact residents directly."
