19 Jan Port of Poole hosts COVID-19 vaccinations
The Port of Poole has become one of the latest locations to host a GP-led site to vaccinate Dorset’s most vulnerable residents against COVID-19.
As part of the phased roll-out of the NHS vaccination programme, from 15th January the Port of Poole was added to the 15 existing sites across Dorset that have started vaccinating people.
Dave Laut, Safety and Security Manager at the Port of Poole said “Last year the Port helped to facilitate a drive-thru flu vaccination service which saw some 4,000 local people successfully vaccinated in time for flu season.
“We’re incredibly proud that off the back of this success our facilities have once again been selected to play such a vital role in helping the NHS deliver vaccinations to our local community”
Vaccinations are taking place at the Ferry Terminal at the Port of Poole
“We’ve plenty of space in our newly renovated North Lounge at the Ferry Terminal, and we’ve worked closely with the Poole Central Primary Care Network to put measures in place to ensure patients feel safe when they visit. We’re in this together and Poole Harbour Commissioners are only too happy to do their bit.”.
GP-led sites have been developed by primary care networks (groups of local GP practices) who have worked closely together to develop detailed plans to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations in their wider community locations.
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.
Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, they will contact you.
Dr. David Broadley is a GP Partner at Rosemary Medical Centre and Clinical Director of the Poole Central Primary Care Network, said “The roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is one of the most important and largest challenges the NHS has undertaken and it has seen everyone involved put in an extraordinary amount of effort over the past weeks and months.
We will be offering the vaccination here at Poole Port in line with the national guidance and I would encourage everyone invited to take up the offer and get themselves protected. I thank all our residents for their patience, we will contact you when it is your turn, in line with the government’s priority cohorts.”
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. This includes delivering it in a number of ways to enable easier access for as many people as possible. The national programme roll-out includes hospital hubs, care homes and GP-led local vaccination services. Across the country, vaccination centres treating large numbers of patients in sporting venues and conference centres will subsequently stand up nationally when further supplies of vaccine become available.
Whilst this is good news, people are reminded to reduce their risk and the possibility of passing it to other people by sticking to the national guidelines https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know.
Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils, said “We’re pleased to see the vaccination programme continuing to expand and being offered from more sites across Dorset. However, we are in the early stages of the vaccine rollout, and the recent announcement of another national lockdown should serve as a reminder to everyone that we are still in a very serious situation.
Whilst the vaccine offers us some hope of a return to a more normal way of life, the rise in case rates across Dorset and BCP Council areas is extremely concerning. We must all stay at home unless absolutely necessary to stop the spread, protect the NHS and save lives.”
Further information on the vaccine is available via the national NHS website.