24/7 coronavirus vaccination rollout - yes please say the vast majority of Sussex readers

This week we posed the question to our Facebook audience as to whether they would be happy to go for the covid vaccination anytime of the day or night.
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It follows a survey where 70 per cent believe the vaccination programme should be a 24/7 operation. You can read more about the survey here.This week it was announced that University Hospitals Birmingham and Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Forest Hospitals trusts have been chosen to pilot the round-the-clock jabs after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he aimed to extend the hours from the current 8am-8pm when supply allowed.

The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been calling for a "round the clock" vaccination programme to be introduced as quickly as possible.

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On our Facebook pages, most readers said they would be happy to have the vaccination at whatever time they were given.

The vaccine rollout is underway.The vaccine rollout is underway.
The vaccine rollout is underway.

Rebecca Howells wrote on the West Sussex County Times Facebook page: "Yes. We need to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. There will always be shift workers that could make use of a 24hr service."

Similarly Rach Sharman wrote on the Hastings Observer Facebook page: "If there are staff willing to work to administer the vaccination 24/7, I would be gracious enough to accept at anytime. As an able bodied person, this would also free up day time appointments for those who are less able."

West Sussex County Times reader Jo Fisher added: "Absolutely we need to get this vaccine rolled out ASAP, people are happy to get up in the night to go on holiday so I’m sure they can cope with doing it for this as it’s going to possibly save their life I can’t think of a better reason."

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While Monz Cho wrote on the Worthing Herald page: "We’re a small country with the highest number of deaths. The virus doesn’t stop infecting people after 10pm so why not. While your at it double pay for any NHS workers pulling a night shift to administer vaccines. And wipe out their student debt as good will."

Christine Green wrote on the Hastings Observer Facebook page: "Yes, if it were easily accessible. I think that is the major problem for some people, there seem to be some hubs in the middle of nowhere. Not great for people without transport or where public transport doesn't venture."

However, concern was raised about those manning and staffing the vaccination centres.

Vicki Steven wrote on the Worthing Herald Facebook page: "The thing that’s been forgotten is the ability to staff this effort, they’re absolutely shattered. Also clinics need cleaning/restocking and who’s factored the funding of shift allowance etc. It’s all very well saying you’ll go whatever time of day or night, but the practicalities of 24/7 haven’t been thought through."

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Bevwin Treeton replied and said: "Believe me we are barely sustaining staff levels in most hospitals across the board at the moment. Not sure how they want even more out of us."

Catherine Robinson likewise expressed concern about the logistics on the Chichester Observer Facebook page. "The staff have to be trained to give the vaccine and after the vaccine you have to wait 15 mins in case you have a reaction..so the necessary staff need to be in place plus the extra needed to maintain social distancing and sanitising areas ..I am all for the vaccines being available to all but I also am aware of the logistics and unfortunately we have not been prepared or staffed," she wrote.

Other readers were not keen on the idea, citing the safety of people travelling late at night and the lack of available transport options.

Jo Kilpatrick wrote on the Hastings Observer Facebook page: "No, I don’t drive so my husband and two children would have to come with me. If it was within walking distance then yes. I wouldn’t like it, but yes."

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And Dee Darby wrote on the Worthing Herald Facebook page: "24hrs seems a bit daft but extended hours e.g. 6am to 11pm to cover shift works would be more sensible. Also as a non driver, I don't fancy walking from Goring to a vaccine hub in town at 3am."