Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller has received an update from the local NHS Team regarding vaccine rollout across Hampshire. The NHS in Hampshire and Isle of Wight – supported by a brilliant network of volunteers – are engaged in a huge effort to vaccinate the first two priority groups before the government’s target date of mid-February.
That means delivering a first dose to protect the over-80s, care home residents and staff, and frontline NHS staff. It's important not to contact the NHS for an appointment. They will contact you when it's your turn. Healthwatch Hampshire has produced FAQ page here. However, for those aged 80 and over if they have not been contacted to make an appointment by the end of January they should contact their own GP to let them know
It has been announced that people aged 70 and over and those who are listed as clinically extremely vulnerable will now also start receiving invitations to have the vaccination.
Maria said, “Tremendous progress has been made delivering first dose of the vaccine to the over-80s, care home residents and staff, and frontline NHS staff.
For some people, the announcement about vaccine being offered to other groups has caused concern that they (or their relatives) who are in the over-80s category may have been missed. This is not the case.
Vaccinating the first two groups is still the NHS priority, groups of GP practices are working together as Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to deliver the vaccine as quickly as possible.
Some residents in the priority groups may find that friends and family have been vaccinated before them. They should not worry or assume they have been missed. I know that this may be an anxious time for local residents and it can be difficult to wait for an invitation, please be assured that the NHS will be in touch with everyone as soon as possible.”
Residents will be contacted directly with an invitation for their vaccination, the NHS is urging members of the public not to contact their practice about vaccination as practices are being hindered from making outgoing calls, booking appointments, or taking calls from those who need urgent care.
Those awaiting a vaccination invitation are reminded to :
Make sure you are registered with a GP practice.
Ensure your GP practice has up-to-date contact details for you – especially a mobile phone number if you have one. This makes it quicker and easier to make contact.
There is no need to call the NHS with this information – it can be updated online through the practice website.
Continue to follow the government guidelines to keep yourself and others safe by complying with lockdown rules, washing your hands, covering your face, and giving other people space when you are out. This is really important even once you’ve had the vaccine.
An interactive map showing all the vaccination sites across Hampshire and Isle of Wight is available here.
If you have difficulties to access the vaccination centre by car or public transport, local community transport charities Dial-a-Ride and Neighbourcare might be able to help. Dial-a-Ride Please call 01256 462101 or 01256 574401 8.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4.15pm for more information or visit the Dial-a-Ride website. For Neighbourcare please call 01256 423855 or visit the Neighbourcare website.