Covid vaccines to be given in Downham Market from next month
The MP for the area has welcomed the news
The first Covid vaccines will be given out in Downham Market from next month.
Those who live in the town have previosuly been having to go to King's Lynn, Swaffham, Terrington St John or Thetford, due to GPs there being able to store the vaccines at the lower temperatures required.
South West Norfolk MP, Liz Truss, says 65% of all over 80s have already been vaccinated in West Norfolk.
She said:
"I raised directly with the vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi in relation to a vaccine hub being located in Downham Market and I am very pleased that confirmation has been received this week that there will be a hub opening later in February.
"At the moment, over 80s in the Downham area and surrounding villages have been receiving the vaccine at either the QE Hospital or Swaffham.
"In the first tranche, vaccine centres were located across the region to ensure as wide as reach as possible. The Pfizer vaccine, which was the first one licenced to be used in the UK, requires extremely cold storage facilities hence only a limited number of sites could offer this provision.
"As the vaccine programme continues, and as more of the Oxford /Astra Zenca vaccine becomes available, more hubs will be able to be established as the Astra Zenca vaccine is easier to store and transport.
"If there are any over 80's still waiting to hear about their vaccine, I know that GPs and the CCG are currently working through their patient lists and you will be contacted either via letter or phone inviting you to a vaccine site.
"If there are any concerns in relation to transport, this should be raised at time of booking and the option of community transport can be made available.
"Currently 65 percent of West Norfolk residents aged over 80 have been vaccinated. Also all care homes and staff should be vaccinated by the end of January, this includes house bound residents and their carers.
"The vaccine roll out has been continuing at pace and I know the CCG and NHS staff, with support from councils and volunteers, are working flat out on this.
"As well as delivering the largest vaccination programme ever undertaken in the UK, GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospital staff are also attending to patients with ongoing non-covid medical needs and combined with increased staff absence due to covid positive cases or having to self-isolate due to track and trace, the efforts by everyone to get the most vulnerable vaccinated is extremely impressive.
"It is also worth noting that the NHS is actively recruiting for the vaccine programme and have held discussions with industries that have been severely impacted by the global pandemic like the airline industry.
"Of particular interest are individuals with transferrable skill sets and have had some first aid training, for example air stewards and those working in the beauty industry."