People who already have an appointment with their local vaccination centre are being advised to keep this appointment rather than attend one of the new mass vaccination sites.
South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The Covid-19 vaccination is the largest vaccine programme in the history of the NHS, and we are making rapid progress here in South Tyneside.
Two vaccine sites opened in South Tyneside in December, and a third is now in action within the borough. We have doctors, nurses, administrators, receptionists, volunteers, marshals and security working very hard to provide the vaccine quickly and safely. The teams are prioritising patients based on strict national guidelines for age and clinical risk level.
Some people may also get invitations to attend the new service at the Centre for Life in Newcastle so that we can immunise as many people as possible.
In addition, we are making good progress in vaccinating residents in local care homes. Plans are also in place to vaccinate people who are housebound over the coming weeks.
Our local programme is now fully underway, but please don’t be worried if you or a family member are in the first priority group but have not heard from us yet. You might know someone who has already been invited, but that doesn’t mean that you are a lower priority.
This is a major logistical challenge, and it will take some time to reach everyone. Our teams can only vaccinate as many patients as supplies allow.
We very much understand that you may feel anxious while waiting your turn, but you do not need to contact your GP surgery as you will be contacted when it is your turn to have the vaccine.
How you can help the NHS
- Please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives – that means staying at home as much as possible and following the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance when you are out.
- Please don’t contact the your practice to seek a vaccine, they will contact you.
- When you are invited, please be sure to attend your booked appointments.
- If you already have an appointment arranged, planned or booked with your PCN (local vaccination centre) please keep this appointment as this may be easier for you to attend than one of the mass vaccination sites, and we want to makes sure that everyone is coming to get their vaccine at the most convenient site to them.
- If you do book an appointment at Centre for Life or Nightingale Hospital – please only arrive 5mins before the time of your appointment this will prevent you having to queue as we need to makes sure all patients are kept social distanced.
- Please bring your NHS number to site when you come for your appointment.
Q&A
A Q&A has also been published to answer the most popular questions local NHS leaders have been fielding about the vaccine rollout. It can be accessed via the link below:
