Leeds hospitals to administer Pfizer Covid vaccine this week - but who can get it?

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the 50 hospital hubs in England where coronavirus vaccines will be administered in the first wave of the immunisation programme.

Since the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine got the green light from regulators last week, health service staff have been working around the clock to manage the huge scale logistical challenge of deploying the vaccine.

A spokesman for the LTHT trust said: "We are delighted that Leeds is one of only 50 places in the country that can offer the Pfizer vaccine this week.

"Another demonstration of Team Leeds working together to respond to COVID-19."

When will the vaccines begin?

They are set to begin being administered on Tuesday, December 8.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “Despite the huge complexities, hospitals will kickstart the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history from Tuesday.

“The first tranche of vaccine deliveries will be landing at hospitals by Monday in readiness.

“The NHS has a strong record of delivering large scale vaccination programmes – from the flu jab, HPV vaccine and lifesaving MMR jabs – hardworking staff will once again rise to the challenge to protect the most vulnerable people from this awful disease.”

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, added: "Coronavirus is the greatest health challenge in NHS history, taking loved ones from us and disrupting every part of our lives.

“Hospitals have now cared for more than 190,000 seriously ill Covid-19 patients and have seen beds fill up again in recent weeks.

“The deployment of this vaccine marks a decisive turning point in the battle with the pandemic. NHS vaccination programmes which have successfully helped overcome tuberculosis, polio, and smallpox, now turn their focus to coronavirus.

“NHS staff are proud to be leading the way as the first health service in the world to begin vaccination with this Covid jab.”

Who will be getting the vaccines?

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus.

People aged 80 and over and care home workers will be first to receive the jab this week.

NHS workers who are at higher risk will also receive the jab.

There is still no guaranteed date for when care home residents will be vaccinated.

The vaccine will be offered more widely, and at other locations, as soon as possible.

GPs and other primary care staff have been put on standby to start delivering the jab.

A number of GP-led primary care networks will begin doing so next week with more practices in more parts of the country joining in on a phased basis during December.

Vaccination centres treating large numbers of patients in sporting venues and conference centres will subsequently stand up when further supplies of vaccine come on stream, NHS England said.

How is the vaccine administered?

The COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm.

It is given as two doses, at least 21 days apart.

After having both doses of the vaccine most people will be protected against coronavirus.

It takes a few weeks after getting the second dose for it to work.

Will I be contacted if I can have the vaccine?

Yes. The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine.

It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then, the NHS website states.

Mr Hancock said: “With over-80s and frontline health and care staff receiving their vaccinations from today, the whole country will breathe a collective sigh of relief as our most vulnerable loved ones start to be given protection from the virus.

"Now’s the time to sit tight and remain patient until you get notified by the NHS that it’s time for your vaccination.

"Until then, protect yourselves and the NHS by continuing to follow local restrictions. We can see light at the end of the tunnel but still have a long way to go."

Professor Stephen Powis has warned that the roll out of a vaccine will be a marathon not a sprint.

Will the vaccine mean restrictions can end sooner?

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Hancock said yes.

Asked if the start of administering the vaccine this week could bring about a sooner end to the restrictions in the first three months of 2021, he said: “Yes it will.”

Mr Hancock, who is reportedly referring to Tuesday as “V-Day”, told the newspaper: “There’s no doubt that having the vaccine early… will bring forward the moment when we can get rid of these blasted restrictions but until then we have got to follow them.”

What did the Prime Minister say?

Boris Johnson said: “Today marks a huge step forward in the UK’s fight against coronavirus, as we begin delivering the vaccine to the first patients across the whole country.

“I am immensely proud of the scientists who developed the vaccine, members of the public who took part in trials, and the NHS who have worked tirelessly to prepare for rollout.

“But mass vaccination will take time, and we must remain clear-eyed about the challenges that remain.

“As the programme ramps up in the weeks and months ahead, it is as important as ever to keep to the Covid Winter plan - following the rules in your area and remember the basics of hands, face and space.”

Please find further information from the Department of Health and World Health Organisation:

- UK Government: COVID-19 vaccination programme

- World Health Organisation: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Mythbusters

- World Health Organisation: Vaccines and immunization: What is vaccination?

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