The NHS in Sussex is making good progress with the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The target to offer the vaccination to everyone in the first four priority groups has been met, and we are now in a position to move on to priority groups 5 and 6.
Priority group 5: If you are aged 65 or over you are now eligible to book your vaccine. You may receive a letter inviting you to book, but even if you don’t you may go online to www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119 free to book your vaccination appointment. These appointments will be at our large vaccination centres or community pharmacy-led sites.
You will not automatically receive an invitation from your local GP-led service. However, if it is difficult for you to get to one of the larger sites, you may have your vaccine at a GP-led site, and we hope to be able to provide information as to how you can arrange this within the next few days, so please check back for updates.
Priority group 6 – ‘at risk’: People aged 16 or over who are classed as ‘at risk’ are being contacted from this week by their local GP-led vaccination service to have their vaccinations. If you are unsure as to whether you are ‘at risk’, a good indicator is that such people are usually called by their GP practice every year to have their free flu jab. See more information about the ‘at risk’ group. Note that those in the ‘at risk’ group are not currently able to book online or by phone and must await their invitation.
Priority group 6 – informal carers: Informal carers are also eligible in group 6, and further information as to how carers will be identified and invited for their vaccinations will be available within the next few days. Note that where a cared for person is classed as ‘at risk’ and is housebound, and where it is clinically appropriate to do so, their carer will be vaccinated at the same time, if present.
As the vaccine is rolled out, we have three important messages for the public:
We are already putting plans in place for rolling out the vaccine to the next five priority groups. Take a look at our ‘When will I get my jab’ pages to find out more about when you can expect to receive an invitation for a vaccination.
Unfortunately, there are fraudulent texts and email messages about vaccinations being sent to patients.
People are receiving a text or email notification of their ‘vaccination appointment’ and are being asked to confirm it by clicking on a link.
This looks very similar to the genuine texts being sent to patients to arrange their appointments at the GP led vaccination services.
Please be assured that even if you don’t respond to a genuine message because you are worried it could be fraudulent, you will remain on the vaccination list and be contacted again.
If you have a question about the Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme please take a look at our frequently asked questions page, or on the pages linked below. If you can’t find the answer, please contact us – our details are at the bottom of this page.
You can email us at sxccg.vaccineenquiries@nhs.net, or call our vaccine enquiry phone line: 0800 433 4545 (open 9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday).
Note that we cannot book a vaccination appointment for you – please wait to be contacted.
You will probably be very keen to get your COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. Find out more about when you’re likely to be invited, how you will book your appointment and where you can get your jab.