Getting our Covid jabs today

[seasider18]

Had texts yesterday inviting us for our Covid vaccinations today (Saturday)

Article from local paper.

Around 30,000 people in Eastbourne will be vaccinated over the next 12 weeks at the new Vaccination Clinic in Eastbourne.

The service is currently being set up in the former soft play unit in The Beacon by the Victoria Medical Centre and will be the first vaccination hub in Sussex.

The first patients will be given the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccinations as part of the NHS vaccination programme roll-out that was launched in the UK earlier this month.

The Victoria Medical Centre, a GP practice formed earlier this year with the merger of the town’s Green Street, Enys Road and Bolton Road surgeries.

The team working in the vaccination service will include six vaccinators plus staff to support patients and manage any queues. Patients waiting to be seen will be able to watch videos on a television screen outlining the vaccination process.

All vaccinations will be by appointment only for patients of the Victoria Medical Centre, starting with the elderly and most vulnerable, in line with government guidelines. Patients will be invited to book an appointment when they are eligible and are urged not contact the NHS to request an appointment until they are contacted.

Dr Mark Gaffney, from the Victoria Medical Centre, said, “We are really excited to be opening in The Beacon and we will be one of few vaccination services to be opening in a shopping centre in the country. It is an excellent location for us – in the heart of the community - and we hope by bringing patients into the service, that everyone, including retailers, will benefit.

“Our team has worked incredibly hard to get this service up and running in a very short space of time. We are very focussed on giving our patients a positive experience of this vaccination and are looking forward to getting the programme started next week.”

Bill Plumridge, manager at The Beacon, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Victoria Medical Centre team into the centre. In a year that has been challenging for everyone, the arrival of the vaccine is light at the end of the tunnel and we are very proud to play a part in this momentous roll-out programme.”

Eastbourne Borough Council leader David Tutt welcomed the arrival of the vaccination service but urged people to remain vigilant.

He said, “The start of vaccinations is a momentous day for all of us, and I am delighted The Beacon and the Victoria Medical Centre will be playing central roles.

“But I would urge people to remember the continuing need for social distancing, face masks and regular hand washing

“We only have to look a few miles along the coast and inland to see that the number infections in Hastings and Rother is on the rise.

“I wish the populations in these areas the very best of health and would urge everybody, no matter where you live, to remain vigilant. Don’t forget – keep a distance, wear a face mask and wash their hands.

[Physalis]

I'm with the Victoria Medical Centre too. Really glad you are getting your vaccinations today. You've given me hope that I will get mine in a day or so.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

The texts came out of the blue yesterday with 13.55 Saturday... reply cancel if you are unable to come and it then may several weeks before we can offer you another one.We are with Bolton Road surgery that is on our doorstep so not happy with the fact that it will next year be a taxi ride for us to see our doctor.

I'm told that the new building is a massive place.

[Physalis in reply to seasider18]

Just looked at it on Google Maps, lots of scaffolding but it looks massive. Cost £8.4 million and opening next spring. It won't make much difference to me as I will still have to get the bus. Think I've only used the bus twice this year.

Once I've had the vaccination, I will be independent again. My son's been great. seeing as this year has been a hospital year. Hopefully, I've been patched up and next year there will be nothing for them to do.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

Today was the first day and we got there at 1.40 for our 1.55 appointment. That evidently was to be the last of the day. There was a short queue outside but when we went to join it we were asked for the time of ours. He then pointed to a long line of others sitting two shops up and another long line on the other side of the passageway. We were told that they were running at least an hour and a half late as the vaccine had been late in arriving. I asked could we not have been texted about that, He didn't know and suggest we go and have lunch. We said we had already eaten. Nowhere to sit in the Beacon so we went up to the station again no benches there nowadays. Found a waiting room with uncomfortable seats and did not stay there long. Too windy to use the two benches out side the station so back to the Beacon to linger over tea.Back to the vaccination centre around 3.20 with many less waiting. Eventually registered at 3.40 and had our vaccinations at 3.50 before a fifteen minute wait to be sure of no initial reactions and home at 4.45. A long afternoon but a longer day for the staff some of whom had been there since 6 am. The security was covered by about six ex service volunteers who attend events and disasters around the country,

We now have stickers on our jackets to say we have been done The second jab is supposed to be on January 9th.

[Physalis in reply to seasider18]

Thank you for telling us about your day. I'm sure they will get a lot better at it. Am I right in assuming the soft play area is at the end of the Beacon nearest the station? I seem to remember that was where it was.

Earlier in the year I walked along the new section and, because of my AFib, I felt annoyed that there was nowhere to sit down. If you had gone further along to where it joins the old Arndale Centre there are benches but they are incredibly uncomfortable. To be on the safe side when I go there, I will take a cushion. I hope it's soon.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

They were efficient it was just that the Vaccine was late in turning up. They gave the impression it was a temperature related issue. Yes, its the old soft play area.

Now all the benches in the older area have been taken away. There are a few odd chairs scattered around.

My wife used to take a couple of cushions out with her. We later bought self inflating ones that take up a lot less space,

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

The vaccine comes in packages of 975 that have to used in three days. So they said that they will do 325 patients a day.

[Physalis in reply to seasider18]

Just heard that it is closed today. I had hoped that it would be open each day from now on. Also heard that yesterday was chaos too with lots of old people queuing and no social distancing.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

I'm glad that we actually got ours on Saturday in that case. They must get on top of it quickly as it will be bad for the reputation of VCM. Was it closed in the morning as if working properly they would close at 2 pmI'll keep my fingers crossed for you and the other 30,000.

[Physalis in reply to seasider18]

Maybe they ran the first three days so that they could sort out problems before they proceeded. Whatever has happened I do wish they would put something on their websites so that we can know roughly what is going on.

Actually, if we go into Tier 4 on Sunday, there will be no shoppers around. I am hoping to get an appointment for next week.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

I'm surprised that the Herald has not picked up on this. Good story with over 80's waiting for nearly two hours.Saturday they had the excuse of the vaccine being late to arrive but they get a three day supply at a time.

Perhaps when you go you should take a folding chair with you

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

My wife had a call from a friend whose older husband has dementia. She said that her husband had his appointment at ten past ten on Sunday so no queues at that time. She said she was his carer and could she have hers as she was there and they agreed.

[Physalis in reply to seasider18]

That's very good news.

[Hatelupus in reply to seasider18]

I had mine on Tuesday and I don't care what the anti vaxers say but I was grateful for the vaccine. It's a long and slow road to some kind of normality hopefully.

[seasider18 in reply to Hatelupus]

Did you get it so early as you are an NHS worker ?

[Hatelupus in reply to seasider18]

I work in the NHS and our trust decided to prioritise sheilding staff over those with no underlying conditions. Seen as most shielders are now back out on the frontline again

[seasider18 in reply to Hatelupus]

They were quite right to do that.

[HiloHairy in reply to seasider18]

I'm having trouble feeling sorry for you.

Living in the states, it's likely to take at least a month till I got mine. Living in Trump's America has been feeling more and more like living in a third world country.

[seasider18 in reply to HiloHairy]

Hopefully things will improve for you after January............ if you can afford all the new taxes he is expected to bring in.

[Physalis]

Had my vaccination this morning. Didn't feel a thing. All very efficient apart from them not having a clock in the room where we had to wait for 15 minutes afterwards. Second dose 20 January.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

Good news and hope that you have no after effects. Sounds like they have sorted their problems out. Evidently according to an expert on the radio this morning it is 21 days after the second vaccination before we are fully covered.My 'I've been done ' sticker fell off and I found it stuck to the sole of my shoe.

How much advance notice did they give you ?

[Physalis in reply to seasider18]

They rang me Monday afternoon and sent me a text yesterday. It seems they are doing about 500 a day. I didn't get a sticker!!

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

500 a day is very good. Told about someone this week who found a lot waiting and very few masked and all close together. He was told it was half an hour and told them he was going home, They sent him another date.

[Physalis in reply to seasider18]

I was one of the earlier ones. They start at 8.30 and I got there at about nine. There were about five in front of me. My vaccinator and the one in the nearest cubicles were conferring and I got the feeling they hadn't been doing it long but I could be wrong. That was holding things up a bit.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

Now the second vaccination is to delayed in order for more people to be vaccinated earlier :

The second dose of the coronavirus vaccines will be given later than originally planned, experts have said.

The move is to ensure more people are given a first dose to help fight the UK's rising coronavirus infection rate, with the second dose administered up to three months later.

Speaking at a briefing at Downing Street, Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations, said the "immediate urgency" was for the rapid rollout of the new Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and to ensure high levels of uptake.

He said: "We recommend delivery of the first vaccine should be prioritised for both the Pfizer/BioNTech and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

"This will allow the greatest number of people to receive the vaccine in the shortest possible time - and that will protect the greatest number of lives."

But Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chair of the Commission on Human Medicine Expert Working Group which looked into the efficacy and safety of the Oxford vaccine warned it did not take effect until after three weeks, so safety measures should be followed in the interim.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

Have you had one like this yet ? We got them today.I thought at first it was a reply to one I sent them yesterday but others are getting it.

Please DO NOT contact the surgery or the Vaccination Clinic regarding booking an appointment for your second COVID 19 Vaccination. The second dose will now be given on or around 12 weeks after the first dose. We will contact you when it is time to book your appointment. Kind Regards. Victoria Medical Centre. "

[Physalis in reply to seasider18]

Yes, I did. I'm happy with that.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

Stay safe.

[seasider18 in reply to Physalis]

Friend and his neighbour in the next street to us had their second vaccinations last week at the Hampden Park Surgery. They are with te Seaside Medical practice whose patients are being done at Hampden Park.I read elsewhere that you are not going out. That may be a good precaution with Eastbourne's rising infection rate putting us into England's top twenty.