Horsham over 80s vaccinated against Covid to get second jabs ‘this week or next’

Park Surgery says it has decided to go ahead with the second jabs despite a recent Government announcement to extend the gap between doses to allow more people to be vaccinated.

The surgery is part of the primary care network which also includes Riverside, Holbrook and Orchard surgeries. So far, 1,900 patients over the age of 80 have received their first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Now those who already have appointments for their second jab are being told to attend as planned.

In a statement, Park Surgery said: “The government announced recently that it would be reasonable to extend the gap between the first and second doses of the available Covid vaccines (originally set at three weeks for Pfizer/BioNTech) to up-to 3 months. This is in order to offer vaccine to more people in the priority JCVI cohorts.

“This announcement means a change in the interval time between 1st and 2nd dose appointments for patients. However, as a PCN (Primary Care Network), we are going to continue with the second dose to patients already booked in for this, and will adjust the timeframe for the second dose in the next wave of patients.

“This has been a clinical decision by the Covid-19 vaccination clinical supervisor, supported by the BMA, after careful evaluation of risks and benefits.

“Please therefore ensure that you, your friend or family member who has already had their first vaccine continue to attend Park Surgery for the booked second appointment coming up this week and next (4th/Jan to 17th/Jan.

“We are requesting more supplies of both vaccines in order to protect the remaining over 80s cohort and we have sent letters out to those we have been unable to contact, requesting them to contact the surgery to advise if they are wanting to receive the vaccine and available at short notice to attend for a vaccination appointment.

“The short notice is unfortunately unavoidable due to limited information on when we will receive our next delivery of vaccines and the short shelf life and fragility of the vaccine.”