First Covid-19 Jab at Royal Surrey Starts Greatest Immunisation in History

Published on: 8 Dec, 2020
Updated on: 8 Dec, 2020

The first recipient of the Covid-19 vaccine, Graham Allen, General Manager of Worplesdon View Care Home

General manager Graham Allen, of Worplesdon View Care Home, was first to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in the county today (December 8) by Royal Surrey Matron Laura Treacy.

For the NHS Foundation Trust, this marked culmination of round-the-clock preparation by the Trust and partners to roll out the biggest immunisation programme in history.

The Royal Surrey is among the first 50 hospital hubs to receive the vaccine and is initially immunising care home workers, staff who are at risk and people 80 and over. The first over-80s for the life-saving jabs are the hospital’s outpatients, contacted before their appointments.

The Trust is also working with care home providers to book their staff into vaccination clinics.

Martin Barrett, Older Peoples’ lead for Surrey Care Association, said: “At the Princess Christian Care Centre, we have only been told, ‘Other vaccination locations in the borough will follow. We cannot confirm exactly when but it is expected within a few weeks.’

“But most of our staff have now been offered a hospital venue to attend. They fill in “care home” as the employer [on the form] and must confirm they have spoken to their line manager about it.

“There is no news from anywhere about residents yet. Much preparation will be required for residents without mental capacity.”

Royal Surrey staff have set up the new vaccination area to accommodate large numbers of recipients with a new entrance to minimise footfall.

Dr Marianne Illsley, the Trust’s medical director, said: “We are delighted to be among the first in England to administer these vaccines.

“Our staff have worked tirelessly to look after our local community through this pandemic, so to be at the forefront of this vaccination programme means a huge amount to us all. We are proud to play a part in shaping a more positive future and protecting the most vulnerable in society.”

Ruth Hutchinson, Surrey public health director, said: “This is momentous news. From today we’ll be able to start protecting the most vulnerable members of our community from Covid-19.

“But it’s important for people to remember Surrey’s infection rates tell us we have continued community spread of the virus.”

Left to right: Chief Executive Louise Stead, Tamsin Enticknap-Green Deputy Director of Nursing & Multidisciplinary Education, Chief Nurse Jo Mountjoy, Professional Director of Nursing and Midwifery and Director of Infection Prevention and Control

The NHS has said:

Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you;
When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments; and
Please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives.

Dr Claire Fuller, GP and senior responsible officer for Surrey Heartlands, said: “This is a historic moment for the NHS and the culmination of weeks of hard work on behalf of staff and partners across Surrey.

“I would like say a big thank you to everyone involved in getting this vital programme up and running for local residents and I know the hard work will continue as the programme expands over the coming days, weeks and months.”

County Cllr Fiona White

Cllr Fiona White (Lib Dem), who represents the local Guildford West Division at SCC, said: “I am very pleased that the Royal Surrey County Hospital has been chosen as one of the hubs for vaccinations. I know that the staff there will give their all to protect as many people as possible, as they have throughout this pandemic. I hope that people will come forward as soon as they are called.

“We have all had enough of isolation, lockdowns and tiers. We look forward to an end of Covid-19 and a better 2021 for all of us.”