Stay patient for the vaccine urges CEO Sandie

The Covid-19 vaccines are here and rolling out across our area. But please stay patient, our Healthwatch CEO Sandie Smith told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire listeners this week.
woman smiling at camera

Sandie reassured local people worried about being overlooked for vaccine appointments or falling off any list.

She told Breakfast presenter Dotty McLeod that it was understandable that people were anxious they didn’t miss out on the jab.

But she said it was early days as the second approved vaccine has only just arrived.  So hospitals and GPs are just gearing up for the Oxford/Astra Zeneca vaccine which is a lot more convenient to get to people.

As long as people are registered with a GP and their contact details are up to date, they will get contacted when it’s their turn.

Sandie Smith, CEO Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

How people will get their invitation

People will be called up for the Covid-19 vaccination in the usual way they hear from their GP.

So if you checked the box for the surgery to contact you by text, you will get a text.

But if you usually hear from your GP by phone or letter that’s how you will be contacted.

If you work in health and social care, you may hear directly from your employer - in the same way you would for your annual flu jab.

Praise for local roll-out plans

Sandie also praised the local plans and the way different parts of the health system and the local authorities are working together.

“There are going to be large new centres coming, where NHS staff are being redeployed to deliver the vaccine. So we are going to see a huge mobilisation. 

“At the same time we have to remember that the NHS is also battling another wave of the virus with people in hospital. So they have to fight on both fronts.

“But the plans are really good here in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. So people just need to be patient. We’re asking for updates all the time – so there will be more information coming.”

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You can hear the interview with Sandie by using the Listen Again feature.

Click here  and forward to about 1:08