As we roll out the largest vaccination programme in British history at pace, I have naturally received an increase in questions from concerned residents.
Today, I met (virtually) with the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Commissioning Group to ask questions on behalf of constituents. Here's an update:
When it is your turn to be vaccinated, the NHS will phone you (it is not being done by post). Please do not contact the NHS, as this will add increased pressure - they will contact you when it is your turn to be vaccinated.
The Trust plan to have vaccinated all care home residents in Colchester by the end of next week (24th January) so far half of all care homes have been vaccinated. I know there are lots of concerned residents asking about this, the NHS is vaccinating care home residents as quickly as they can but it's important to remember that North Essex has 179 of the 400 care homes in Essex so it is a huge logistical operation.
Everybody over 80 is being prioritised and vaccinated now - this is not being done in any particular order of age and everyone over 80 is being prioritised as one age bracket.
NHS staff, paramedics, ambulance staff and care home staff are also currently being vaccinated as a priority.
The vaccination programme is going as fast as possible locally and there will be a real focus on the East of England in the coming weeks.
Plans are coming together to launch a mass vaccination site in Colchester and I will update you further once NHS England is ready to make a formal announcement.
As the vaccination programme is being rolled out, I would like to urge Colchester residents to follow the current national restrictions and always practise #HandsFaceSpace.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those in our NHS and all those supporting them to deliver the vaccine programme.