Significant expansion of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out across Cheshire

Sixteen new GP-led COVID-19 vaccination services are set to start vaccinating people across Cheshire in the first weeks of 2021.

The new sites will complement existing GP-led vaccination sites in Winsford and Frodsham which went live before Christmas.

A small number of pharmacy-led sites have also been identified across Cheshire that could support GP-led services where required to ensure that residents are vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Further to the hospital-based service which started vaccinating at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on December 8^th 2020, vaccinations also started at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on December 28^th 2020 and are due to start at East Cheshire NHS Trust on Wednesday, January 6^th 2021.

As we head into the New Year with the approval of a second vaccine that is more versatile we will be able to expand the programme and ensure that the majority of care home staff and residents are protected in the coming weeks.

NHS organisations have also been asked to start vaccinating frontline health and care workers such as nurses, doctors and social workers.

Priority groups for vaccination are determined by the Government following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

You can help the NHS deliver the COVID-19 vaccination programme effectively by following this simple guidance:

• We will contact people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine. Please do not contact the NHS to seek a vaccine before then.
• When you are invited for a vaccine, please act on your invite and make sure you attend appointments when you arrange them.
• Please continue to wear a face covering and abide by social distancing and hand hygiene guidance as, until the vaccine has been fully rolled out, this is the most effective way to save lives.

Frodsham GP Dr Chris Ritchieson, Medical Director at Cheshire West Integrated Care Partnership, said: “We understand that people are anxious to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. However, please don’t contact your GP practice, local hospital or council to seek a COVID-19 vaccine appointment – appointments cannot be made in this way.

“If you’re eligible for a vaccine, but are yet to be contacted, please remain patient. You will not be missed.”

Knutsford GP Dr Paddy Kearns, Medical Director at Cheshire East Integrated Care Partnership, said: “This is just the beginning of the largest vaccination programme the country has ever seen and we will make sure that the people who need it most - and those that care for them - are able to access the vaccine in a safe way with the least delay.”

Alongside delivering a COVID-19 vaccine, GP practices across Cheshire will, of course, continue to offer routine appointments to those that need them.

If in any doubt about which local health service you need you are, however, advised to contact NHS 111 first – either by dialling 111 or online at: 111.nhs.uk