GPs in Berkshire West begin offering COVID-19 vaccine as part of the biggest NHS immunisation programme
Patients are now starting to receive Covid-19 vaccinations at two Berkshire West GP surgeries, Wargrave and Tilehurst, in the latest stage of the roll out of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.
Over the next couple of weeks other GP practices will be joining forces and contacting patients to offer them the vaccination, initially to patients over 80 years old and frontline health and care workers.
Today’s milestone marks significant work from practice teams across Berkshire West to work rapidly over the last weeks to plan for the vaccination programme, redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.
People are asked not to contact their GP surgery so that their practice team can focus on arranging the vaccinations and provide day to day for all of their registered patients. You will be contacted when it is your turn to receive the vaccine.
Dr Abid Irfan, Chair of Berkshire West CCG said:
“It marks a significant day in Berkshire West as we go live with our first GP led services in the greatest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS.
“It has been incredible to see the efforts of GP practices and teams across Berkshire West coming together to work collectively to prepare for today and I am proud of everyone who is involved.
“Whilst the vaccine offers our best defence against the virus, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t mean we can start to relax our attention to the hands, face, space regulations. I’d urge everyone to continue doing everything they can to comply with the Government’s rules and play their part in helping to keep themselves and their families safe,” added Dr Irfan.
Key message for the public
The public have an important part to play to help them do this:
- please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you;
- 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.