Covid vaccines start at Eastbourne hospital

The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination roll-out started on January 4, with frontline health and care staff, local care home workers and staff from other local NHS organisations being the first in line to get the vaccine at Eastbourne DGH.

This comes after vaccinations at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings started on December 20.

The vaccine is delivered by a simple injection in the upper arm. Members of staff have been specially trained to deliver the vaccine which needs to be carefully stored at -70C and can only be moved a certain number of times ahead of use.

Dee Daly, the clinical lead for vaccination who has worked for the trust for 24 year, said, “I was so relieved to receive the vaccination.

“It was so emotional to watch other frontline colleagues and friends who’ve been working so hard over the last year getting their first vaccine too.

“It’s a great start to the New Year.”

Vikki Carruth, chief nurse at East Sussex Healthcare Trust, said, “I am absolutely delighted that we are now delivering the Pfizer vaccine at both our acute hospitals in Eastbourne and Hastings.

“Members of our team at ESHT and other health and care staff locally have shown such care, dedication and determination over the last year.

“This will be a big morale boost for those who are facing such challenges at work at the moment.

“The vaccination programme in East Sussex will be a turning point. However it is just beginning and whilst it will expand over the coming months, it’s incredibly important that everyone sticks to the new lockdown guidance and stays at home to protect the NHS and save lives.”

The vaccination hub at the DGH is part of a Sussex-wide approach to vaccination.

ESHT said the programme will expand over the next few weeks and members of the public will be contacted directly by their GP surgery when it’s their turn to receive the vaccine.