An important milestone has been reached this week with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Programme celebrating the delivery of over five million doses of the vaccine, since it began just over two years ago.
The first vaccine in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight was given to then 99-year-old Michael Tibbs at Queen Alexandra Hospital on 8 December 2020. Since then, teams from across general practice, community pharmacy, hospital hubs and roving clinics have come together to play their part in keeping people safe against the COVID virus.
The programme has developed over this time and now most COVID vaccines are being delivered by GP practices and community pharmacy with specialist clinics supporting people with a learning disability or who are housebound, amongst others.
Dr Matt Nisbet, GP and Clinical Lead for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “The number of vaccinations we have been able to deliver across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is incredible and none of it would have been possible without the determination of our hardworking NHS staff and volunteers
“Working together has been a key part of the COVID vaccination programme’s success and I would like to share my thanks to all our partners and teams for all they and continue to achieve. Many of us will remember where we were when the first vaccines were delivered and the impact this had on the pandemic and our lives.
“Of course, we also could not have reached this milestone without the support of our communities, so I would like to say thank you to them too. I would strongly encourage anyone yet to get vaccinated to come forward, it isn’t too late, there is no judgement from our teams, and we are here to help.”
Jane Ansell, previous Programme Lead for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Programme said: “This is such a milestone in our campaign and my thanks go out to everyone involved in delivering this vaccine to our communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved and how many different teams and partners came together to make sure we played our role in keeping people safe.
“With much of life returning to how it was pre-pandemic, it’s easy to forget the impact that this virus is still having on people’s lives. However, we need to remember that it is the vaccine that has enabled us to reach this point and getting vaccinated when invited to remains our greatest defence against this virus.”
Over 240,000 people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are eligible for a COVID-19 spring vaccine including everyone who turns 75 years plus (before the end of June) and those with a weakened immune system.
Since the spring campaign launched last month, nearly 75,000 vaccines have been delivered. There are lots of appointments available at different times and days of the week, as well as several walk-in clinics which can be found online.
While we are offering the spring vaccination, there’s also an opportunity for people to get a first or second COVID-19 vaccination, or both if they come for their first before 5 May.
The last vaccination appointments will be offered on 30 June. After that the offer from the NHS will be more targeted and usually during seasonal campaigns.
People can get information, help with booking an appointment or check eligibility by contacting the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination Helpline on 0300 561 0018.
Photo: Muriel Standing, 84, from Millbrook attended Boots West Quay with her daughter Donna, so she could get her spring vaccine over the weekend