New Milton surgery among first in country to give coronavirus vaccine

A NEW Milton GP surgery will be among the first in the country to start vaccinating patients as the UK gears up for the biggest immunisation programme in NHS history.

Taking delivery of the coronavirus vaccine this morning (Tuesday), New Milton Health Centre in Spencer Road will be the first surgery in the New Forest to offer the Pfizer jab.

Batches of the Covid vaccine began arriving in UK hospitals last week, with 90-year old Margaret Keenan from Coventry a global trailblazer.

As the rollout enters its next phase, GP practices have been busy setting up vaccination centres in surgeries, community centres and even hotels. Locations have now been announced, and New Milton will kick off its clinics tomorrow.

Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff will work alongside GPs to vaccinate those aged 80 and over, as well as care home workers and residents.

Those in “priority groups” who are most vulnerable will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn to receive the jab.

“People should not contact their surgeries,” said an NHS spokesperson. “The vaccination service is available strictly by invitation only.”

Dr Matt Nisbet, GP and clinical lead for business and partnerships at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCGs, said: “This is a very big moment for lots of people.

“For those of us working in surgeries across Hampshire it is a huge task, but also a real privilege to be part of this national effort to protect ourselves from the virus.

“And for many of the patients we serve, receiving the vaccine will be a giant stride towards being able to live a more normal life again.”

Dr Nisbet reassured the public they would be vaccinated as quickly as possible, and urged people to be “patient”.

“We would love to be able to vaccinate everyone immediately, but clearly that is not going to be possible,” he continued.

“GP surgeries across the county will contact you when we can offer you the vaccine, and we will start with the most vulnerable people first.”

He said that while the development of the vaccine was “fantastic news”, Hampshire still faced the “risky winter period ahead”.

“It is vital that we all keep up our guard,” Dr Nisbet stressed.

The NHS said practice teams were “working rapidly” to organise the sites so that safe processes are in place to meet the “tough logistical challenges” of offering the vaccination.