It has been another epic week for our vaccination programme in Sherborne. In the last 7 days we have administered over 3000 vaccines. We have now given over 13000 vaccines locally since January and just over 75% of the local adult population have received their first dose. We have invited all over 50’s for vaccination and are at least 2 weeks ahead of the targets we have been set by government. The uptake has exceeded all expectations and percentages range from 99.5% of Over 80’s to 90% of 50-55 year olds. We have also had enough spare doses to vaccinate a significant number of under 50’s as well. I am so proud of and grateful to the people who have made this happen. To the volunteers who give their time come rain or shine, the nurses, health care assistants and doctors, and those behind the scenes who coordinate and record and book your appointments, who are all working extra hours to make this happen – I say Thank You.
We have given second doses this week to residents of local residential and nursing homes and we also started to give second doses this week to the over 80’s and will re-vaccinate the remainder of the Over 80’s next week. If you have an appointment for Tuesday or Wednesday next week , please remember to bring your appointment letter with you.
We had some spare doses this week at the end of Wednesday’s clinic. This was because about 30 people did not attend for their booked appointment. I appreciate there may be lots of reasons for people being unable to attend, but if you can let us know if you cannot make your appointment, then we can offer the vaccine to someone else. I am pleased to say that not a single dose was wasted as people were called in at short notice.
We will continue to give more second doses after Easter and as soon as supply is assured we will recommence with the under 50’s. We will call or text you to arrange your second dose, which you should receive at some time between the 11th and 12 week after your first vaccine. Our call and recall system is robust, but please make sure that we do have your UpToDate contact details to avoid any confusion.
Dr Rob Childs