Covid Vaccinations In Care Environments Under Way

Coronavirus vaccinations of care home residents and staff begun in care and residential settings throughout the UK.

The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) care homes across the country are now booking in for COVID-19 vaccinations, and OSJCT homes in Lincolnshire have led the way with 36 from Beckside care home in Lincoln being vaccinated at Lincoln County Hospital. Ten more colleagues are booked in for today December 9.

OSJCT homes in Oxford, Henley and Chipping Norton are also booking in for their vaccinations and Gloucestershire.

Andrea Brooks, Home Manager at Beckside, had her vaccination this afternoon.

She said: “As soon as we were informed that the booking system was live, we worked late last night to ensure that we could secure some slots. The response from my colleagues was great with so many willing to get the vaccination on days off or outside working hours because they know this is a great way to keep our residents as safe as possible.

“Having this vaccine available has really brought up spirits in the home – there’s a very positive feeling from all the team.”

Caroline Dunagan, OSJCT Regional Director for Lincolnshire, said: “Throughout the pandemic The Orders of St John Care Trust has taken a leading role in tackling this unprecedented challenge. We have taken part in pilot COVID-19 testing programmes and are now a key participant in the Vivaldi 2 study which seeks to determine how our antibodies react to the virus over time.

“Vaccination presents the best way forward to return to normality in our homes and we will continue to support all residents and colleagues in getting access to it.”

Colleagues from Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home also received the Covid-19 vaccine.

Staff from Brunelcare’s care homes have today received their first dose at Bristol’s Southmead Hospital.

Care Home Manager, Lesley Hobbs, said: “We’re proud to be amongst the first in line for the vaccine. This is how we will defeat the virus and help protect our wonderful residents and colleagues.”

The Palmerston Residential Home in Belfast is understood to be the first in the Western world to see all care home residents and staff vaccinated against coronavirus.

A total of 60 residents and staff were given the Pfizer jab after Northern Ireland’s Department of Health reached an agreement with Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the UK’s vaccinations regulator.