Cambridgeshire GP surgeries to begin administering COVID vaccine

The first vaccines were given last week at Peterborough City Hospital

GP practices in Ely and the surrounding areas will be in the first wave of GPs to deliver Covid-19 vaccinations to local residents aged over 80, as part of the biggest NHS immunisation programme.

GP sites providing jabs will be spread across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, more will join on a phased basis.

Vaccinations at Peterborough City Hospital and Addenbrooke's Hospital started last week.

The first practices based in Ely, Soham, Haddenham, Burwell and Littleport have worked rapidly to redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination at two of their sites. Their teams have been working hard to contact local residents aged over 80 to book them in for an appointment to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Dr Anthony Gunstone, a GP at Staploe GP practice said, “We are delighted to support the biggest and most highly anticipated national immunisation campaign in history by vaccinating and protecting our vulnerable local residents against Covid-19. We are working hard with other local GP practices, getting ready to deliver the vaccinations to those most at risk from Covid-19.

“Please do not call the GP practice to book, we will contact you. If you are invited to book an appointment, we would encourage you to take this opportunity up. When you attend your appointment, you will need to follow social distancing guidance, bring and wear a face masks or visor, and follow hand hygiene guidance. These steps help to save lives.

The latest phase of the vaccine roll-out is being co-ordinated by GP-led Primary Care Networks (PCNs) with more practices and community pharmacies in other parts of England joining on a phased basis during December and in New Year. In East Cambridgeshire, the vaccination programme will be managed by a number of GP practices which form the local Primary Care Networks. These new sites coming after the first two Hospital Vaccination Centres opened last week in Cambridge and Peterborough.

More information about the Covid-19 vaccination in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is available https://www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/covid-19-national-vaccination-programme/