'Get the vaccine when it's your turn' message from GPs and first patients

Some of the first patients across Devon to be given the Covid-19 Pfizer jab have urged people to get vaccinated when it is your turn.

The first phase of GP-led vaccination centres in Devon today saw the opening of eight sites serving 49 of the county's practices.

Those in the over 80 age group have begun to get vaccinated, although in Exmouth, the over 90s age group were exclusively invited for the first tranche of the rollout.

They included 100-year-old Fred Woodall, from Exmouth, who was one of the first to receive the jab at the Exmouth Tennis Centre.

"I'm feeling alright at the moment," he said. "I've had no effects from it and when invited, I thought I better take it."

Gerald Roberts, aged 90, also from Exmouth, added: "It's the best thing to do and you have to take every day as it comes.

"I had no second thoughts and it is no different to the flu jab that you get done. I am not worried about it, and the best thing to do is to get the vaccine."

The eight locations in Devon's first wave of local vaccination centres will see nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff working alongside doctors to vaccinate people aged over 80 and care home workers, who have been identified as priority groups for a life-saving vaccination.

Each site has been given 975 initial doses of the vaccine which will be given to patients in the next three or four days.

Exmouth Tennis and Fitness Centre is currently serving patients from Honiton Surgery.

Between them, the sites will vaccinate people from 49 of the county's GP practices.

At Exmouth Tennis and Fitness Centre, patients from 10 local practices will be vaccinated from Tuesday onwards in specially adapted clinical facilities positioned on one of the indoor courts, with all of the eligible over 90s from the 10 practices being vaccinated this week.

Dr Barry Coakley, a GP and Clinical Director of Woodbury, Exmouth and Budleigh (WEB) Primary Care Network, who is among those leading the set-up of the centre, said: "We feel honoured to play our part in this wonderful national Covid vaccination programme.

"This is a really historic day and something we are proud of.

"As soon as the opportunity arose, the teams from all 10 practices have come together, working with great skill and efficiency, seizing the moment to ensure that these lifesaving vaccinations are delivered to our communities.

"We would like to thank all those who have been waiting patiently to be contacted for their invitation.

"We are working through our patient lists in order, as set out in the national guidance, and will make contact with everyone who is eligible in due course.

"Patients aged over 90 are coming to have the first vaccination today and the second will be in three weeks' time.

"The national priority is to target the over 80s but given the number we had, had to narrow it down further to the oldest residents, so the first cohort are all over 90, and there are a lot of happy patients today.

"You should absolutely have the vaccine. If your GP gets in contact and say you are eligible, you should definitely come forward and have it.

"It is the medical world's way of saying thank you for all the hard work you have done over the last nine months, keeping yourself safe and distant from people.

"We have been waiting for this day to come where there is a vaccine and we are delighted to give it to those who need it most."

More local vaccination centres run by family doctors will open in coming weeks across the county as the roll-out of the greatest vaccination programme in NHS history expands out of hospital hubs.

Darryn Allcorn, Devon's lead chief nurse, said: "We're working seven days a week to make sure eligible people in Devon a vital vaccine as soon as possible.

"As a nurse I am proud to be part of this huge national effort to protect our patients against the virus and I would urge people in Devon to come forward when they are called up for the vaccine.

"I can reassure everyone that the NHS will be in touch with you when it's your turn to have the vaccine.

"Contacting your local hospital or practice only slows us down as it takes up precious time and resources to respond to the calls."

The local vaccination sites are using the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, building on the work of the scores of hospital hubs which have already started vaccinating.