Roe Lane Surgery

Community COVID-19 vaccination programme in Sefton:  Please read the following update from Southport & Formby Clinical Commissioning Group

GPs, working together with the CCGs are continuing to roll out the COVID-19 community vaccination programme in Sefton, which began at the end of December.
Over the coming weeks this will gain pace, with more patients most at risk of COVID-19 - aged over 80 years and care home staff and residents - being invited for their immunisation first.

GP practices are working together in groups to deliver vaccinations as quickly as possible to their patients aged over 80 years and to invite them into a community centre to be immunised safely.

Importantly, in the meantime we are asking everyone not to contact their GP practice or another NHS organisation to ask for their vaccination – or to request one for a member of their household or their carer. We do understand that people will be keen to know when they will receive their vaccines. Each of us will receive an invite when it is our turn to be vaccinated, either by letter or a phone call.

You may know others aged over 80 who have been invited for their vaccination already, however, not all areas of Sefton could start vaccinating at the same time, so not everyone has been contacted yet, but we will get to you.

This is the biggest vaccination programme the NHS has ever undertaken. It is a huge challenge and we are working hard to overcome any logistical issues as they may arise. So, the exact weekly roll-out of the programme will be largely shaped by the vaccine supply from the manufacturers.

Not all local premises or surgeries can become community vaccination centres, as they need to meet the strict clinical and logistical requirements of the programme. So, when it is your turn to be vaccinated, be prepared that it may not be at your GP practice or other nearby venue. 

The NHS has a clear vaccine delivery plan but it will take some time for GP practices to work through the number of people aged over 80 that need to be contacted. So we are asking everyone to be patient and until people are fully vaccinated with two doses, they are reminded to follow the current restrictions and guidance and play their part by following these steps:

• Do not contact your GP practice or the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you
• When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments
• Please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives by socially distancing, wearing a mask or face covering and washing your hands regularly

When it is the right time for you to receive your vaccination, you will receive an invitation to come forward.