The NHS in Sussex is on course to offer the vaccination to the first four priority groups by the middle of this month, in line with the national target. 

The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn. Services are very busy providing care and rolling out the vaccine, so please wait to be contacted.

The vaccine is being given in order of priority groups. You can read more about when and where you will get your jab here: When will I get my jab?

You can find lots more information, including frequently asked questions, leaflets, and regular updates, on the Sussex Health and Care Partnership website: Sussex COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

We can get through this together

Thank you for playing your part and for continuing to follow the rules. Following the guidance is more important now than ever. The vaccine is one of our best defences against COVID-19 but for now it is essential that we do all we can to stop the spread of the virus. Following the current restrictions and remembering hands, face and space will save lives and help the NHS.

Once you have had the vaccine, there is still a chance you might get or spread coronavirus. It is vital that you keep following the restrictions and rules about social distancing and face coverings for the time being, even if you have had the vaccine.

Make sure you're up to date on the rules and get tips for coping with lockdown on the Your East Sussex website.

Are you worrying about money troubles or debt? Due to COVID-19 in particular, people may be facing financial difficulty, struggling to pay their bills or concerned about growing debt.

Additional support is on offer through local quality assured, free, confidential advice providers.

If you are worried, you can call 0333 344 0681 or email benefitseastsussex@harcuk.com for a financial health check which may be able to help you pay your bills and manage your debt.

The service will be available until March 2021.

Anyone who feels they need extra support to cope during the pandemic and has no other way to get help can contact their nearest community hub.

Hubs can help you with things like options to get food and essentials, or referring you to local befriending services if you're lonely or isolated. 

You might need help because you are self -isolating with COVID-19 symptoms, have been told to isolate as a result of Test and Trace, or are quarantining before an operation. 

Get the contact details for your nearest hub and find out about a range of other community support: Coronavirus - community support. 

Shielding

If you're identified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) to coronavirus, you're being advised to shield at home at the moment. You can register for priority supermarket delivery slots, ask for free medicines delivery and ask to be contacted about local support. Visit our CEV web page for how to get support if you are clinically extremely vulnerable.

Have you needed help or advice during the pandemic? Have you helped someone else? Opportunity to tell East Sussex County Council about your experiences

Adult social care at East Sussex County Council want to improve how we share information about adult social care and coronavirus with local people. To help us do this, we’ve asked an organisation called Activmob to speak to 50 people in East Sussex that have needed help during the coronavirus pandemic, or who have helped someone else like a family member, neighbour or friend. We’d particularly like to hear from men, older people, and people from an ethnic minority background.

Visit the website for more information and how to take part.

The NHS in East Sussex are starting work to improve and transform cardiology and ophthalmology services in the county.

This is part of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s (ESHT) new “Building for our Future” programme.

To inform these improvements, local people are being asked to share their views, ideas and experiences of the services. You can get involved by:

Taking part in a questionnaire on the Your Say Sussex website, or by taking part in a phone or video interview of no more than 50 minutes:

• Transforming cardiology services in East Sussex
• Transforming ophthalmology services in East Sussex.

The NHS is issuing a fresh warning to residents to be on their guard against fraudulent messages as new scams are being sent to patients.

There have been fresh reports that some people are receiving fake fraudulent calls, emails and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination.

In the most recent case people are receiving a notification of their ‘vaccination appointment’ and are being asked to confirm it by clicking on a link.

This looks very similar to the genuine texts being sent by GP practice vaccination teams and the NHS is worried people will be conned by them or will not respond to their genuine invitations. The NHS has this advice:

• An official NHS text message will include details of your GP practice. It will also include details of the local vaccination service and its location;
• Scam text messages and emails are not including local information such as your GP practice details or where you are invited to attend;
• The COVID-19 vaccination is only available by the NHS and it is free – you will never be asked to pay for it or your bank details.

If you are worried about a text message you have received, please be assured you will remain on your GP practice list for vaccination if you don't respond.

Read more about COVID-19 vaccines and being alert for scams: Sussex COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.