Coastal Medical Partnership team vaccinates 70 people against Covid at Engleburn Care Home in New Milton

VULNERABLE care home residents in New Milton were among the first people in Hampshire to get their Covid booster jabs as part of a spring healthcare campaign.

More than 70 people living at Engleburn Care Home were vaccinated by a specialist team from the Coastal Medical Partnership, a group of local GP practices.

A spokesperson for the partnership said they have been working with the home for several years now, so residents there felt “comfortable” and were “supported throughout” by care staff.

Dr Tom Millar, one of the partnership GPs vaccinating people at the home, said: “As a team we have a great relationship with our local care homes and work closely with them to ensure we are not only providing continuity of care, but doing what we can to help keep residents safe.

“We know the impact that Covid-19 has had on care homes and getting vaccinated helps to reduce the chance of people getting seriously unwell if they catch it, so I’m proud of the role the team have played in this.

“I’d strongly encourage anyone eligible to come forward whether they are due a spring dose or yet to have their first or second dose.”

Care home manager Tracey Holland added: “As seen in other care homes across the country, we too have really experienced the full effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Thanks to the vaccine and other measures, we have now been able to safely open more to family and friends wanting to visit their loved ones.

“The last few years have been really challenging, but I’m glad we were able to work with our local practices to help keep residents safe.”

More than 9,000 residents at 413 adult care homes in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are now eligible for the spring dose of Covid vaccine.