Morecambe GPs begin offering Covid-19 vaccine as part of biggest NHS immunisation programme

The latest phase of the vaccine roll-out is being delivered by the GP-led primary care network in Morecambe this week, with the first clinics starting on Friday, December 18.

The PfizerBioNTech vaccine, which is being administered to patients over the age of 80, is being delivered at a sports facility in Morecambe.

The patients who were identified as priority groups for the life-saving vaccine have been contacted by their GP surgery to book an appointment.

Maureen Cassidy, 82, was one of the first people to be vaccinated in Morecambe yesterday (18 December).

She said: "I was thrilled to find out I was going to receive the vaccination. Me and my husband have been quite isolated, so this gives us hope."

Maureen, who has eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren has been missing her family.

One of her great-grandchildren was born during the pandemic, so she hasn’t been able to hold him yet.

She said: "When the weather was warmer my family were able to see us from the bottom of the garden but now it’s colder, we can’t do that.

"They’ve been brilliant at keeping in touch with us though and we’ve been using Facetime, which has been lovely."

Describing herself as “lucky” to have been offered the vaccine, Maureen urges others to have it when offered.

She added: I really hope everybody takes advantage of having it when they can, because that way we can all see our families again soon."

Primary care teams have been working rapidly to redesign sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.

Dr Andy Maddox, local GP and Clinical Director of Bay Primary Care Network (PCN) said: "We’re really happy to be administering the Covid-19 vaccine here in Morecambe.

"The uptake from patients over the age of 80 has been great because it gives them hope for a future where they can spend time with their families, who they’ve had to be apart from during the pandemic.

"As a GP I am proud to be part of this work to protect our patients against the virus and I would urge the public to come forward when they are called up for the vaccine."

The NHS will let people know when it's their turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.

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