I know that many people are still concerned that we are not getting vaccinated here in North Devon, despite the many stories circulating on social media, North Devon remains on track to hit its targets along with the rest of Devon.
There has been some concern and confusion with the centralised NHS letters arriving inviting residents to either the Westpoint Arena in Exeter or the pharmacy in Westward Ho! To be clear, just because you have been invited to one of these venues by the NHS you do not have to attend if the journey is an issue and logging onto the NHS website does not impact your position with your own GP. Your GP will be in touch directly, separately, with an alternative venue, closer to home.
The local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working on additional pharmacies in North Devon to take part in the roll out, sadly, many have chosen not to take part.
You will have seen over the weekend that the Government is to offer an additional £10 to GPs for every vaccination that they give in a person’s home. This will help get GPs out into the community to do that last few percent of the over 80’s who have yet to receive their vaccine.
Below is the latest release and update from the CCG which has the latest figure for the vaccination roll out:
• Vaccination centres across Devon are focussed on vaccinating people in priority cohorts 1-4, as determined nationally by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and in line with the Government ambition of vaccinating these groups by mid-February.
• On Wednesday 3 February, just 57 days after the programme began in the South West, the 1 millionth person in the region received a first dose. Nationally, more than 10 million people have received a first dose.
• 204,815 people received their first jab in the NHS Devon CCG area up to 31 January and around 92% of people aged 80 and above have been vaccinated in Devon.
• To reduce wastage, you must let your vaccine centre know if you cannot attend your booked appointment for a vaccination.
• Nearly all older people's care homes across Devon have had vaccination visits, with work ongoing to vaccinate the small number remaining.
Progress on vaccinating priority groups
• Vaccination centres across Devon are focussed on vaccinating people in priority cohorts 1-4, as determined nationally by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and in line with the Government ambition of vaccinating these groups by mid-February.
• National guidance is awaited on progressing with following cohorts once these groups are reaching completion.
• People aged 70 and above, and people who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, can now use the national booking system – via the website or by calling 119 – to book an appointment at a large-scale vaccination centre or participating pharmacy centre whether or not they have received a letter.
• NHS partners in Devon are working to make sure supplies are used for these priority groups, while ensuring wastage is kept to an absolute minimum.
• Letters from the national booking system to people in priority group four (people aged 70-74 and people who are clinically extremely vulnerable), inviting them to book their COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre or community pharmacy, are expected to be received over the next few days.
• The letters make it clear that people have a choice of where to get vaccinated and can choose to wait for their GP services to contact them directly, if they haven’t already, or book into a vaccination centre or community pharmacy.
• To read more about the different locations giving vaccinations in Devon, read the guide in the briefing of 29 January.
• Opening hours at all vaccination centres are flexed up and down in line with the supply of the vaccine. Supplies nationwide remain limited and are being distributed fairly across the UK to ensure that the most vulnerable are immunised first. As soon as supplies are received in Devon, they go in people’s arms. All vaccination sites are continuing to receive deliveries as planned.
Vaccination data for Devon
• Between 8 December and 31 January, vaccination data published by NHS England and NHS Improvement shows 204,815 people in Devon received a first vaccine dose, broken down as follows:
Age group 80+
Number of first doses given 72,831
Percent of age group received first dose 91.6%
Age group 75-79
Number of first doses given 39,993
Percent of age group received first dose 72.7%
Age group 70-74
Number of first doses given 12,708
Percent of age group received first dose 16%
Age group Under 70 (includes health and care staff)
Number of first doses given 79,283
Percent of age group received first dose (data not available)
If you believe you have not been contacted and should be, please do not contact your GP, I am liaising with the CCG daily, so please send me your full name, address, date of birth, telephone number and GP’s details.
