Patients in Scarborough area receive Covid vaccine as GPs begin roll-out

The first residents in the borough received a dose of the pioneering Pfizer/BioNTech immunisation on Tuesday morning.

Hundreds more have since been following from GPs services across Scarborough and Ryedale.

MP for Scarborough and Whitby Robert Goodwill said: "It is fantastic news.

“It is safe and effective and the only way we are going to get back to normality.”

Filey Surgery was one of the first GP practices in the country to roll out the vaccine, immunising their first patients on Tuesday.

They were giving the vaccine to people registered at their practice as well as from Hackness Road Surgery, Scarborough Medical Group and Hunmanby Surgery.

With 975 people lined up to be immunised over three days, staff were prepared to work 12-hour shifts if needed to make sure everyone received their dose.

Laura-May Calden, an advanced care practitioner at the surgery, said: “It’s all hands on deck.

“All the patients we have contacted have been really positive. We filled all of our slots for the vaccine in two days.”

She stressed the surgery is still working to meet patients’ other needs as usual.

Pickering Medical Practice also started vaccinating eligible patients on Tuesday registered at their surgery as well as at Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley and Terrington practices.

Kirstie Vincer, Nurse Manager at Pickering Medical Practice, said: "Everyone is fantastically excited to be able to begin vaccinating.

“It's taken an effort like none of us have ever experienced and it's only been possible because of the collective energy of colleagues within our primary care network and an army of volunteers.

“We are all set up and ready to vaccinate people efficiently and safely. It’s incredibly exciting knowing that we will be one of the first GP practices to provide the vaccine.”

Today the vaccine began being delivered to patients from Scarborough's Central Healthcare, Eastfield Medical Centre, Brook Square Surgery and Castle Health Centre.

This first wave of immunisations is seeing over-80s receiving the vaccine.

Those that are eligible will be invited by their GP or the NHS national booking system.

Patients are being urged to wait until they are invited for an appointment for the vaccine before contacting the NHS.

Patients will need two doses to get the best protection from coronavirus, at least 21 days apart.

MP for Malton and Thirsk, Kevin Hollinrake, said: "I'm delighted. The more the vaccine gets out to the locality then the better we're going to be able to tackle this virus. It's great news."