Hastings Centre vaccine rollout to be paused next week

Over the few days, the venue will continue administering jabs to the over 70s who have yet to receive one but, due to a pause in the delivery schedule in line with national supply, vaccine appointments will then pause.

Jon Merrick, the manager of Hastings and St Leonards Primary Care Network, said the situation at the Hastings Centre is similar to that seen in Bexhill where appointments at the Sidley Medical Practice will be paused until next Friday (February 26) once the current batch of vaccines is used up on Wednesday (February 17).

"We will not get any deliveries next week," Mr Merrick said. "Unfortunately we do not know beyond that since the delivery schedules are only provided weekly.

"Our last vaccinating day will be this coming Monday to use up what we have."

The pause in the delivery schedule is to allow other areas to catch up. These areas are expected to receive an increased amount of doses next week. Hastings and Bexhill will not receive any deliveries of vaccines next week.

People aged 65 to 69 were due to be the next priority group, in Hastings and nationally, but the government has now advised vaccine centres to prioritise patients in cohort six – those with underlying health conditions and their carers.

People aged between 65 and 69 will be invited to receive their vaccines at one of the mass vaccination centres, in Eastbourne or Brighton.

When vaccines restart at the Hastings Centre, the team will focus on people in cohort six. Mr Merrick said – in Hastings – this group is large and that patients would be invited over the coming weeks.

He added: “We know who they (those in cohort six) are and they will receive text and telephone communication. Those who are unsure if they are in cohort 6 should first look at the national description. If they remain unsure, your GP practice is very busy, but can answer your query if you have not received contact from us by March.”

Over the next week, the Hastings Centre will be using all remaining doses to vaccinate anyone over the age of 70 who has not yet received their first jab.

Mr Merrick added: “We would like to invite anyone who has not yet been given a first dose of vaccine and is over 70 to attend the Hastings Centre between 9.30am and 6pm this Saturday, 20th February. There is no need to make an appointment.

“They should bring photo ID with them; anyone under 70 will not be given a vaccine unless they have an appointment on that day.”