COVID-19 vaccination: Mid and South Essex

COVID-19 vaccination: Mid and South Essex A special newsletter with photo and video highlights from some of our initial vaccination centres to mark the first chapter of our COVID-19 vaccination journey.

For more information about the local vaccination programme, please visit the EPUT website.

Thanking our wonderful staff and partners A huge #MSEBigThankYou to all staff and partners in mid and south Essex who have united to deliver the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.

Having combatted a multitude of challenges at breakneck speed, it is fantastic to see such a positive start to the COVID19 vaccination programme.

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign has demonstrated the benefits and critical importance of integration and partnership working.

People across multiple organisations from hospitals, GP practices to scouts, local councillors and local croquet groups have come together to support each other and protect the health and wellbeing of local residents.

2

Mid and South Essex leads the way as The Sun’s Royal Photographer features his experience as one of the first to get his COVID-19 jab in Brentwood Arthur Edwards MBE, Royal photographer, aged 80, received his COVID-19 vaccination at the Brentwood centre on 15 December 2020.

The experience was later featured in The Sun, on Good Morning Britain and extensively on social media.

This vaccination programme will be life changing for many of its recipients. Without staff going the extra mile, this programme would not have gone live in the GP practices this week.

Well done to all involved!

A huge thank you to all staff in both GP surgeries and behind the scenes in CCGs who worked tirelessly to make sure all of the equipment, IT systems, screens, furniture etc. were in place.

For many of those receiving the vaccine, their lives have been put on hold for the best part of a year. There were some truly emotional scenes as many have been deprived of interaction that we sometimes take for granted.

#MSEBigThankYou 3

Brentwood Primary Care Network COVID-19 vaccination

Brentwood Primary Care Network (PCN) delivered their GP COVID-19 vaccination at the Brentwood Centre with support from Brentwood council.

Dr Nilukshan said: “The support from all the local staff and CCG allowed for a successful delivery of the vaccinations.

We hope to continue working closely with local practices and staff to deliver the future vaccines.�

A special thanks to ACE, volunteers from the local community and staff who enabled the successful delivery of COVID-19 vaccination to local residents.

4

Arthur Edwards MBE, Royal photographer, aged 80, receiving his COVID-19 vaccination at the Brentwood centre on 15 December 2020. Local GP Dr Nilukshan Jeganathan (left) and Ann Davis, Senior Practice Nurse (right).

Andrew Fenton aged 84, the first patient to receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Danbury Medical Centre on Tuesday 15 December 2020. Vaccine being administered by Practice Nurse, Andrea Stead.

94 year old Colin, from Grays, one of the oldest residents to receive his vaccine at Stifford Clays COVID-19 GP Vaccination Centre in Thurrock.

#MSEBigThankYou 5

Local GP, Dr Alex Shaw introduces the wave one vaccination site at the SS9 GP Vaccination Centre in Leigh-on-Sea. He re-assures people that they will be contacted to receive their vaccination when appropriate. A staggered approach is currently in place with different times for different surgeries.

Those at highest risk are being vaccinated first.

Watch the video on YouTube: bit.ly/3mtRbfY

Sammy, a Practice Nurse from Leigh-on-Sea, delivers the COVID vaccine from the SS9 GP Vaccination Centre in Leigh-on-Sea.

6

Dr Caroline Dollery who was our local media super star undertaking a number of interviews with the BBC. Here she is pictured on the morning of the launch preparing all the necessary paperwork ahead of COVID vaccination.

D Day veteran Donald McGeachy, 97, from Maldon having his COVID vaccination at Maldon Council Offices

Staff at The Puzey Family Practice say the best part of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is being a part of something groundbreaking, working with a great team and hearing all the positive remarks and feedback from patients once they’ve been vaccinated.

#MSEBigThankYou 7

8

#MSEBigThankYou 9

10

The COVID-19 vaccination programme has brought together the mid and south Essex community demonstrating the strength of integration and partnership working for better lives.

We would like to end on a creation made by crochet group— ’Crochet n Chatter’ from Thundersley who yarn bombed the post-box outside Southend Hospital with a wonderful colourful collection of health and care professionals.

Gina of ‘Crochet n Chatter’ said: “I hope we have helped to bring some joy at the end of a difficult year. It’s been a real team effort, similar to battling this awful virus, we are definitely stronger together. I’m grateful to everyone that has helped with this project and would like to thank all of the amazing NHS staff in particular for all they do to keep us safe.”

#MSEBigThankYou 11

#MSEBigThankYou to all health and care staff, local partners and the wider community across mid and south Essex for supporting the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.