All over 80s in South Tyneside who have yet to get Covid-19 vaccine will get invites in 'next couple of weeks'

South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have said they are “making rapid progress” to ensure all over 80s across the borough receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

According to the CCG, nearly all over 80s in Hebburn, Jarrow and South Shields have already received their first dose and that the care home programme has provided the first doses for everyone in the borough’s seven largest homes – said to be a quarter of care home residents.

Matt Brown, Executive Director of Operations at NHS South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The vaccine programme is an immense task but we’re making rapid progress in South Tyneside.

“Our staff, volunteers and partners are working so hard and it’s been great to see patients so positive, cheerful and careful to follow the rules at our sites.

“Two vaccine centres opened in South Tyneside in December and a third is ready to start this week.

“Nearly all over 80s in Hebburn, Jarrow and South Shields have already had their first dose. We are expecting all remaining over 80s in South Tyneside to get an invitation by the end of next week.

“Our care home programme has provided first doses for everyone in the borough’s seven largest homes – representing a quarter of care home residents – and we are aiming to complete the rest of our local care homes over the next week."

Mr Brown has insisted that South Tyneside CCG are doing everything they can to provide people with the Covid-19 vaccine as fast as possible.

He added: “We have doctors, nurses, administrators, receptionists, volunteers, marshals and security moving heaven and earth to provide the vaccine quickly and safely.

“Dozens of community pharmacists are working in the three vaccine centres, and they will also be playing a key role in vaccinating people who are housebound over the coming weeks, once we have suitable vaccine supplies for that task.

“It’s exciting but it’s also a huge logistical challenge – the biggest vaccine programme in NHS history. Naturally, people are anxious, but we ask everyone to be patient and keep following the rules – we are working very, very hard to get to you as fast as we possibly can.”

On Monday, January 11, the Centre for Life in Newcastle opened as the North East’s first mass vaccination centre and residents in South Tyneside will also be invited to get a vaccination there if it is convenient for them.

Mr Brown commented: “In addition, the new mass vaccination centre for the region has now opened at the International Centre for Life in Newcastle. This is now inviting over 80s within 30-45 minutes’ drive who have not yet had the vaccine, as a convenient alternative.

"If you have already got an appointment locally, you do not need to attend the Centre for Life as well."

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