From today (Tuesday 8 December), Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust began offering COVID vaccinations at Basildon Hospital as part of the NHS vaccination programme involving 50 hubs across the country. The first group of people who are eligible for the vaccine are those aged 80 or over, who they are contacting via text message.
Leader of Basildon Council, Councillor Gavin Callaghan, said: “I was heartened today to see the first person to get the Covid vaccine at Basildon Hospital is a war veteran. Protecting our older residents and those who are vulnerable to the virus because of existing health conditions has always been and will continue to be a priority.
“As brilliant as it is that the vaccination programme has started, we can’t and shouldn’t forget that we have a long way to go. We are at a critical time for our borough, our coronavirus rates are rising, our figures put us in the top 10 areas in the country and we are facing the real possibility of being put into Tier 3 restrictions which would hit our hospitality and leisure businesses at a time they are already facing financial hardship.
“Our actions now really can change that forecast. I know it has been hard this year, to miss out on regular contact with loved ones, our friends and all the things we probably took for granted before coronavirus. But, please, keep to the rules of minimising your social contact, socially distance from those you don’t live with, work from home if you can, wear a face covering where required and keep your hands clean.”
