The COVID-19 vaccination programme has been rolling out across the whole of Somerset, including here in Frome.
The vaccinations are first being offered to residents who are identified as being in the high priority groups, these are care home residents and their carers, those aged 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers.
Vaccinations are taking place at the Frome Medical Practice (FMP) and they are contacting individuals and inviting them to make an appointment to attend. You may have received a letter and have been asked to attend at either Shepton Mallet or Ashton Gate, the FMP adds: “We know that some of our patients in the over 80s category have received letters in the last few days inviting them to attend vaccination appointments at the Mass Vaccination Centre at Ashton Gate, Bristol. We expect many of you would prefer to have your vaccination closer to home and, if we haven’t already spoken to you, we will be contacting you by the end of this week (15th January) to arrange this.”
Additionally, the Frome Medical Practice adds; “If you are attending a vaccine appointment it’s really helpful if you can wear a loose top – ideally a t-shirt – so we can easily reach your upper arm. This helps us to ensure we can run the vaccine clinics really smoothly. Obviously please make sure you have something on to keep you warm when you’re outside the building.”
Dougie Brown from community group, Active and In Touch mentions: “Some of our most vulnerable members of our community will be offered the vaccine and Frome Community Drivers are on hand to safely help with transport to these vaccination appointments. For help with transport please either call 07596 591391 or email us at Active and In Touch, where we will be assisting with the arrangements.”
Once the above group has been contacted and vaccinated they will move onto the next priority group, so please do not contact your GP, the NHS or visit any of the sites to ask about your vaccine, you will be contacted directly.
There is some good news – both the Pfizer Biotech and the newly approved Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines are available in Somerset, meaning more people can be vaccinated sooner.
As a reminder, people are asked to support the NHS:
• by not contacting GPs and health services about vaccinations. You will be contacted when it is your turn to be invited for your vaccination. Some telephone lines are jammed with people asking about vaccinations and this is preventing people who need help from getting through
• When contacted, please attend your booked appointments
• And please continue to follow all the guidance to control the spread of the virus and save lives.
