The Vaccine Programme in Sussex: no one’s safe until we’re all safe

– Amy Galea

In January this year the Government and the NHS launched the biggest vaccination programme the country has seen.

In Sussex we embraced the challenge and last week we reached three-quarters of a million vaccinations given across the county. We’re currently focusing on:

  • people aged 50 and over
  • people who are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
  • people who are at moderate risk from coronavirus (clinically vulnerable)
  • people who live or work in care homes
  • eligible health and social care workers
  • eligible carers

With GP led vaccination sites in every district in the county and four vaccination sites led by Sussex Community Foundation Trust alongside hospital hubs delivering jabs to health and social care staff Sussex has stepped up to the plate. In addition roving services have been supporting housebound and other groups who can’t get to centres.

We were delighted to welcome Emily Lawson, Chief Commercial Officer for NHS England who is in charge of the roll our nationally to Sussex to show her the work we’ve done and continue to do. You can see her take on it:

Another familiar face can also be seen praising the Sussex system:

The vaccination effort has been a true joint effort with support from teams across the Partnership from frontline, HR, facilities, finance, procurement and almost every other team in every part of the system.

The programme has been two-fold; make sure those that want the vaccine and are eligible can get it as easily as quickly as possible but arguably more importantly, break down barriers to those who might be reluctant.

We know that some areas are lower on uptake than others.

In Brighton and Hove uptake was lower across the city and there were different reasons in different areas. We have launched a bespoke campaign in the city with the strapline ‘We’re not safe until we’re all safe’.

  • In East Brighton, and other parts of the city, some people weren’t able to travel to the nearest vaccine site. We are putting in place plans for a roving bus to reach those who just couldn’t get to a vaccine site
  • A Brighton and Hove specific leaflet has been delivered to every home in the city alongside council tax bills spelling out why and how people could get vaccinated
  • Key partners from the ICS, the clinical commissioning group and Brighton & Hove City Council are target community groups, faith groups, digital and social media, shops, and other avenues to make sure the message was clear; no one should miss out from getting their vaccine. We’re not safe until we’re all safe.

We continue to encourage people to take up the offer of a vaccine when it’s their turn through our My Jab campaign with detailed information targeted at key groups.

The campaign centres on:

  • When will I get my jab?
  • Where can I get my jab?
  • Why should I get mu jab?
  • What happens now I’ve had my jab?

> See more information about the Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme

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