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‘Historic moment’ as Covid-19 vaccinations begin in Bristol
The first person in Bristol to receive the Covid-19 vaccine says he hopes life will be back to normal by the middle of next year.
Jack Vokes, 98, received the jab at Southmead Hospital on Tuesday, marking what has been hailed a historic moment for the country as the biggest ever NHS vaccination programme gets underway across the UK.
The hospital on Southmead Road is one of 50 national hubs to become operational this week and local health and care leaders have praised the efforts of staff for making the large-scale rollout possible after the Pfizer vaccine got the green light from regulators.
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People who are over 80, care home staff, and other NHS staff who face the highest risk from Covid-19 will be the first groups to receive the vaccine.
Dr Tim Whittlestone, the clinical director at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “This is a historic moment for the country, and I want to thank staff across our health and care system who have worked incredibly hard to get us ready to deliver the vaccine locally.
“We will continue to follow the national prioritisation guidance as the programme rolls out, and as the range of places in which people can receive the immunisation expands.
“People will be invited to attend an appointment directly – there is no need to call us – and we ask everyone to continue to follow guidance including ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and maintaining good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.”
As the first in the city to receive the vaccine, Jack, from Alveston, said: “I hope I’ve helped by having this in advance. I live in hope that by the middle of next year we’ll hopefully be living a normal life.”
Staff at Southmead have started the process of inviting people over the age of 80 to receive the jab and have also been working with councils and care home providers to book their staff in to vaccination clinics.
Any appointments not used for these most at-risk groups will be used for healthcare workers who are at the highest risk of serious illness from Covid. All those vaccinated will need a booster jab between 21 and 35 days later.
NHS national medical director professor Stephen Powis has warned that the roll out of a vaccine will be a marathon not a sprint.
The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at -70C before being thawed out and can only be moved four times within that cold chain before being used.
Main photo courtesy of NHS South West Twitter feed
Read more: Covid vaccinations to begin at Southmead Hospital
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