Over 900 Weymouth locals benefit from first GP vaccines

The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout began this week.

Author: George SharpePublished 19th Dec 2020

More than 900 people in priority groups are being offered the first vaccines in Weymouth.

It’s part of the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout which began this week at primary care facilities like the Melcombe Day Hospital.

Over 80’s and those working in Care Homes are at the front of the queue, including NHS Staff at high risk.

Dr Jon Orrell is a local GP and councillor. He said:

“In many ways it’s quite gratifying that we can finally get a chance to get stuck in. We are used to doing big immunisation campaigns and it’s wonderful we can start doing it now.

He says more stock will start coming in next year but for now the impact will be small.

“Sadly, it’s probably going to be a month or two, because although we’re starting with the highest risk people, it’ll be a while before we get up to enough numbers to impact the diseases spread.

“Obviously, every vaccine is a person protected but it will probably be a few months before we really see the tide turn.

“It’s still a bit risky with Christmas coming up and people mixing, but we really don’t want a third wave.”

Jon says initially around 970 people will be vaccinated, and those people will be contacted by the NHS – so you don’t need to call up and ask for it.