Worthing coronavirus vaccinations: This is who will get the vaccine first

Coronavirus vaccinations are finally being rolled out across Worthing at the end of a hugely difficult year for many people.
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Worthing Hospital, part of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, began administering the vaccine on Tuesday (December 22).But such a large logistical endeavour means prioritising who gets the vaccine first, particularly as it takes two doses to be most effective.

A spokesman for Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said there are five groups of people who are currently being prioritised. They are:

- Hospital staff in high risk groups

Healthcare cure concept with a hand in blue medical gloves holding Coronavirus, Covid 19 virus, vaccine vial. Picture: Adobe Stock YPN-201117-122910062Healthcare cure concept with a hand in blue medical gloves holding Coronavirus, Covid 19 virus, vaccine vial. Picture: Adobe Stock YPN-201117-122910062
Healthcare cure concept with a hand in blue medical gloves holding Coronavirus, Covid 19 virus, vaccine vial. Picture: Adobe Stock YPN-201117-122910062

- Clinically extremely vulnerable people over the age of 60

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- Black and ethnic minorities (research has shown BAME groups are disproportionately impacted by the virus)

- People over the age of 80 who are already booked in for any appointment

- Some care home workers

The spokesman said people eligible for the vaccine would be contacted, so it was important people did not just turn up requesting a vaccine.

Some GPs in Worthing have also started administering the vaccine, with more to follow over the coming days and weeks.

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For those unable to attend hospital for a vaccination, mass vaccination centres are planned for Sussex in the new year, although the WSHFT spokesman was not able to confirm the locations, nor how many there may be.

More than 4,300 people in West Sussex have already received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccination, part of more than 500,000 across the UK.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock also announced yesterday (December 23) that researchers at Oxford University have submitted their vaccine for approval by the governing body MHRA.

The UK has already ordered around 100million doses of the Oxford vaccine, which also requires two doses for maximum effectiveness.

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