Mockup image of woman's hands using and typing on laptop with blank white desktop screen on wooden table in cafe
Covid update 2 (revised 4.02.21)
Essex-wide COVID-19 vaccination website launched
I’m pleased to see that the NHS in Essex has launched a new website this week, giving residents the latest information and advice on the local COVID-19 vaccination programme. Created by Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership (MSEHCP), it can be accessed by visiting www.essexcovidvaccine.nhs.uk
This user-friendly website provides a wealth of reliable and useful information about vaccination, ensuring residents have the most up-to-date information available, including:
- Guidance on who is currently eligible for the vaccine
- Where to go for your vaccination
- How to book a vaccination appointment
- Information about attending your appointment
- Advice about symptoms and getting yourself tested for Covid-19
The site also provides information in different languages along with a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section and there is also information about self-care, volunteering and local support.
With so much information about COVID-19 and the vaccines available, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to go to find the most up-to-date information; this site acts as a ‘one stop shop’ of valuable information, as well as serving to dispel some of the inaccurate and sometimes confusing myths surrounding vaccination.
Six new vaccination centres open in Essex and Suffolk
I welcome the excellent news that life-saving Covid vaccinations will start being delivered this week from Chelmsford City Racecourse, Colchester United Football Club and Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea. Altogether, six new vaccination centres open across Essex and Suffolk during the coming week.
The new centres are among a series opening nationally this week, as the NHS rapidly accelerates the number of sites where it can give the crucial first dose of the vaccine. They include the Cliffs Pavilion, the largest purpose-built arts venue in Essex.
Each of the centres can vaccinate hundreds of people a day and thousands of people each week – enabling the programme to expand as more vaccine supplies become available.
People in the top four priority groups including people aged 70 years old and over, and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, are being invited to book an appointment at the vaccination centres through the national booking service.
The centres will also be vaccinating health and care staff who are being urged to get their first dose as soon as possible, to protect themselves and others.
The six new large-scale vaccination centres planned to go live over the coming week:
- Chelmsford City Racecourse
- Colchester United Jobserve Community Stadium
- The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
- Former Riverwalk School, Bury St Edmunds
- Clacton Hospital
- Alastair Farquharson Centre, Thurrock Community Hospital
It brings the total number of large vaccination centres in Essex and Suffolk to nine following the opening of The Lodge in Runwell in Wickford, Gainsborough Sports Centre and Harlow Leisurezone.
They are among more than 1,400 vaccination sites nationally and offer an additional option to hospital hubs, GP and pharmacy-led vaccination services already offering coronavirus vaccinations across the region.
The roll-out continues to accelerate with these new sites coming online – there were 253,332 cumulative doses between the Suffolk and North East Essex, and Mid & South Essex NHS areas up to the week ending 24th January which represents great progress towards our goal of vaccinating the first four priority groups by the middle of February. I continue to liaise with our local NHS services, as well as with Essex County Council, on the roll-out of the vaccine in our region.
Please note: slots are opening regularly at all centres. If you have received a letter inviting you to receive the vaccine, please book in as soon as possible, following the instructions in the letter.
I would encourage anyone aged 80 and over who has not yet been vaccinated and can travel to a vaccination centre or GP/pharmacy-led service, to book their appointment as soon as possible. If you are in this age group and haven’t been contacted, please contact your GP.