COVID-19 vaccinations for priority groups to be delivered from three more sites in Dorset

Three more GP-led local vaccination service sites have started to vaccinate Dorset’s most vulnerable residents.

These locations will add to the first six sites announced last week, as part of the phased roll-out of the NHS vaccination programme in Dorset, with more set to come.

The second wave of vaccination sites are:

• St Albans Medical Centre, East Way, Bournemouth (Central Bournemouth Primary Care Network)
• Beaufort Road Practice, Bournemouth, (Bournemouth East Collaborative Network)
• Westbourne Medical Centre, Bournemouth, (Poole Bay & Bournemouth Primary Care Network)

Local vaccination services in Dorset are being delivered at pace by initial waves of primary care sites serving their much wider communities.

Primary care networks have been working rapidly to redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination in line with the national guidance.

This is only the initial phase of the programme. Subject to the completion of assurance processes, further sites are set to be announced and stood up in the near future.

People who have been identified nationally by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) as the highest priority will be invited first, particularly people over-80.

While this is good news, people are still being reminded that the NHS will get in touch when it is your turn to be vaccinated.

Please do not contact your practice or hospital to ask about an appointment – the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn.

Dr Ashley Savage is a local GP and Clinical Director of Bournemouth East Collaborative Network. He said “The last couple of weeks have seen thousands of people across Dorset receive their first vaccination against COVID-19 and this is another really positive step in the development of our vaccination programme. I would personally like to acknowledge that phenomenal efforts of all our GP practice teams and health and care colleagues who have been working tirelessly to set up and run these local vaccination sites.”

Local GP and Clinical Director Central Bournemouth Primary Care Network Dr Ben Sharland added “We know that everyone is very keen to know when they will be getting their vaccine, but please do not contact your local GP practice or hospital, we will contact you directly when it is the right time. If you do have an appointment and can’t make it for whatever reason, please let us know – we can re-schedule your appointment and someone else can use your time slot.”

In Dorset, the health and care system is working in partnership to make the vaccine available to the people of Dorset in line with national guidance.

Meanwhile, we are asking people to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19 by sticking to the national guidance.

Dr Nicky Cleave, Assistant Director of Public Health at Public Health Dorset, said: “It’s great news that more GP-led sites are beginning to vaccinate people against COVID-19, and we would like to thank everyone involved in getting the vaccination programme underway in Dorset.

“It’s important to remember we’re still at an early stage in this process, and it will take time for this to have an effect on the local and national situation. Two doses of the vaccine are needed to offer protection, and whilst it’s fantastic that thousands of people have already received their first vaccination, the majority of people won’t be vaccinated until next year.

“We’d like to remind everyone that for now it’s really important that we continue to follow all of the public health measures to protect our loved ones and our wider community. Please self-isolate with your household and book a test if you notice any symptoms of COVID-19, maintain a safe distance from others, wear a face covering where required and wash your hands frequently.”

We know that people are very keen to find out about our developing COVID-19 vaccination programme in Dorset and we will share more updates as information becomes available.

Further information on the vaccine is available via the national NHS website.