Cornwall vaccine rollout hits 250,000 vaccinated residents
Will there be a delay in the vaccination programme in Cornwall?
Local health organisations including NHS Kernow have been informed by NHS England that supply of the vaccine could potentially dip in April. This has been attributed to a supply issue with the AstraZeneca vaccine and delay with delivery of five million doses from India, potentially delaying widening the vaccine rollout to other groups. The potential EU vaccine export ban that is being mooted and widely covered in national and local media could add further challenges to the ambition for all UK residents to have been offered the jab by 31st July, if the ban on exports to the UK is adopted.
What are the priority groups for vaccinations in Cornwall currently?
The prioritisation and focus currently within Cornwall and nationally is delivering the vaccine successfully to vulnerable groups within cohorts 1-9, with first and second dose appointments being honoured by local vaccine distribution points in Cornwall. If any residents are within these groups and experiencing challenges with accessing the booking system, have not been contacted by their GP or have any feedback to share then please do get in touch.
Have the vaccines been tested and are they safe for Cornish residents?
Vaccine safety concerns relating to blood clots that saw some countries introduce bans have also thankfully been dispelled, with the UK regulator, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulator (MHRA) confirming them as safe for use on Thursday 18th March. Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine are being used in Cornwall, both of which are highly regulated products and very safe to use for people from all communities, faiths and diverse groups.
Where are the sites for me to get my coronavirus vaccination in Cornwall?
There are a number of different places in Cornwall where you can get your vaccination. This will vary depending on your own personal situation, you can speak to your GP about this when booking or use the map below from NHS Kernow to see where the sites are across the county. More information about the vaccination programme in Cornwall can be found on the NHS Kernow website below.
Appointments for first doses are still available for the rest of March, but they are filling up fast. So if you are in an eligible group – meaning you are 50 or over, have a health condition that puts you at greater risk, or are a health or social care worker – and you haven’t booked your first dose yet, the time to do so is right now. It’s quick and simple to book using the link below or calling 119.
It has been a huge team effort to get to this point. It has been down to the countless hours and dedication of our incredible staff working across health and care, the emergency services and all the volunteers, that has meant we have now vaccinated over 250,000 people. We all want to return to a sense of normality, and the NHS across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is continuing to work hard to vaccinate our communities in line with the groups currently prioritised in the guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation guidance, to achieve this for us all. We encourage everyone that is currently eligible, to book their vaccination appointment
Downloadable resources
Healthwatch Cornwall has also collated some further resources to help you with information about accessing the vaccine and any questions you may have, these can be downloaded by clicking the links below.
