Coronavirus vaccine centres to be rolled out across Basildon and Canvey

Basildon has seen an additional two centres open, while one has also been opened on Canvey, offering the Pfizer vaccine.

The launch of the new sites comes as the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is approved by the government which will be rolled out from Monday.

The new centres are Holy Trinity Church Hall, on Wickhay, Basildon, the George Hurd Centre, on Audley Way, Basildon and The Paddocks, on Long Road, Canvey.

GP’s are working alongside nurses, pharmacists and other NHS staff to vaccinate those aged 80 and over as well as care home workers and other health care workers.

Basildon council’s deputy leader, Kerry Smith, said: “It’s good that they’re getting the vaccine units out of the hospital, making it easier for people to get vaccinated quickly and easily.

“Hopefully we will see a few more vaccine centres to make it as easy for as many people in the borough to get the vaccine as they choose to have it.”

The centres that opened on Wednesday are the latest in addition to those that have already been operating in Brentwood, Rochford, Danbury, Leigh, Grays, Rayleigh, Westcliff and Wickford and Billericay.

In a bid to ramp up vaccinations in care homes, the NHS is set to provide GP’s with an extra £10 for every care home resident they are able to vaccinate against Covid by the end of January.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care said: “Three quarters of a million people have now received the Pfizer vaccine thanks to the tireless efforts of NHS staff who have given up time with their families over Christmas to deliver vaccines at the same time as treating record numbers of seriously ill patients with Covid-19.

“As we head into the New Year with a second vaccine that is also more versatile we will be able to extend the programme and ensure that majority of care home residents are protected within the next four weeks or so.”

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups when it’s their turn to receive the vaccine. Residents are being asked not to contact their practice enquiring about vaccination.

Three more Covid vaccine centres have opened in south Essex as the fight against Covid-19 continues.

The new centres offering the Pfizer vaccine are Holy Trinity RC Parish Church Hall, Basildon, George Hurd Centre, Basildon and The Paddocks Community Centre, Canvey Island.

The launch of the new sites comes as the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is approved by the government which will be rolled out from Monday.

The centres that opened on Wednesday are the latest in addition to those that have already been operating in Brentwood, Rochford, Danbury, Leigh, Grays, Rayleigh, Westcliff and Wickford and Billericay.

GP’s are working alongside nurses, pharmacists and other NHS staff to vaccintate those aged 80 and over as well as care home workers and other health care workers.

Basildon council’s deputy leader Kerry Smith said: “It’s good that they’re getting the vaccine units out of the hospital, making it easier for people to get vaccinated quickly and easily.

“Hopefully we will see a few more vaccine centres to make it as easy for as many people in the borough to get the vaccine as they choose to have it.”

A total of 786,000 people have received a Covid jab since they were first rolled out nationally on December 8.

In a bid to ramp up vaccinations in care homes, the NHS is to provide GP’s with an extra £10 for every care home resident they are able to vaccinate against Covid by the end of January.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care said: “Three quarters of a million people have now received the Pfizer vaccine thanks to the tireless efforts of NHS staff who have given up time with their families over Christmas to deliver vaccines at the same time as treating record numbers of seriously ill patients with Covid-19.

“As we head into the New Year with a second vaccine that is also more versatile we will be able to extend the programme and ensure that majority of care home residents are protected within the next four weeks or so.”

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups when it’s their turn to receive the vaccine. Residents are being asked not to contact their practice enquiring about vaccination.