[ad_1]
Patients will begin receiving COVID-19 vaccines at GP surgeries today.
Vaccination centers run by local doctors at more than 100 locations across England will receive the jab, with some opening their clinics this afternoon.
This is the last phase of the UK’s vaccine launch program, with most of them starting to provide vaccination services to their local community from Tuesday, the NHS said.
NHS staff, including nurses and pharmacists, will work alongside GPs to inoculate patients, and vaccination centers will operate from existing doctors’ surgeries or community centers.
GPs to Receive Approved Pfizer / BioNTech Vaccine on Monday
Dr Nikki Kanani, NHS GP and Primary Care Director, described the moment as “emotional” and “overwhelming.”
She said, “As a primary care physician, I am proud to be a part of this huge national effort to protect our patients from the virus and I urge the public to come forward when called for the vaccine.”
Each part of the country will be covered by a vaccination center.
First, patients in priority groups are contacted, including those over 80 years of age and home workers.
Later this week, the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine will finally be offered to residents in nursing homes, after practical difficulties with distribution.
More than 100 locations will receive the vaccine.
Community clinics were established after the vaccines were launched in hospitals last week.
Margaret Keenan, 90, made history when she became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer jab outside of a trial.
Margaret Keenan, 90, became the world’s first patient to receive Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine outside of a trial
There are significant logistical challenges with the Pfizer vaccine, which must be stored at ultra-low temperatures.
But Professor Martin Marshall, president of the Royal College of GPs, said the general practice has an “excellent track record” when it comes to delivering vaccines, including annual flu shots.
The vaccination centers will operate from existing physician surgeries or community centers.
“We want to use this experience to help protect people from COVID-19 and start to get life back to normal,” he said.
Vaccination clinics are designed to keep patients and staff as safe as possible.
More GPs and community pharmacies will also join the vaccine program in the new year.
Dr Richard Vautrey, Chairman of the BMA General Practitioners Committee, said: “This will be an important undertaking and now hundreds of GPs working together in local practice groups will ensure that this vital vaccination campaign takes place. as quickly as possible, as long as you protect some of our most vulnerable patients, with safety and well-being at the center of your work. “
Other vaccines are expected to go live in the coming weeks, including the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine.
