Generally, the Government’s vaccine rollout is going very well nationally with over 4m doses delivered to our priority groups. More people have been vaccinated in the UK than in France, Germany and Italy combined.
Locally in Hampshire, we are also making good progress, but I am aware of a specific limited issue with the supply of vaccinations in Hedge End and the surrounding area. This has also been made worse by the relatively higher proportion of over 80s in Hedge End and a higher number of care homes in the area.
It is worth stating that the Government’s target is to offer a vaccination to all over 80s and the top four high priority groups by the middle of February. However, I think it is right that areas with higher proportions of over 80s to vaccinate are given the resources to meet demand.
For this reason, I have been working with local NHS professionals, GP surgeries and the Department of Health and Social Care to get this resolved and am pleased to report we have made progress. I can share with you the following:
- An urgent supply of vaccinations will be delivered this week and a further supply will be delivered the following week as a result of the representations I have made.
- This will be enough to cover the outstanding priority groups in the area.
- All vaccines will be administered to people within one week of delivery.
- Additional resource will be made available to Hedge End and the surrounding areas to ensure that we can deliver vaccinations to the priority groups.
People will still need to be patient and are politely asked not to contact your surgery. You will be contacted by your GP surgery about how to book your appointment and where to go.
I will continue to monitor the rollout of the vaccine locally to ensure we remain on track and on target to offer everyone in the high risk groups a vaccine by the Spring.
