When it’s your turn to get a vaccination for Covid-19, please don’t miss out.

Getting the jab is safe, quick, and easy to arrange in East Sussex.

The facts about the vaccine, how the NHS is managing it, and how to find out more

The NHS has already vaccinated 350,000 people across Sussex. If you are aged over 70 or you are in the clinically extremely vulnerable group, you should have either been offered an appointment already or be able to arrange one now.

If you’re over 70 or medically very vulnerable and haven’t been vaccinated you can arrange it with the NHS. Book a coronavirus vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

If you are not in either of these groups please wait - the NHS will contact you when it's your turn.  

Today East Sussex County Council agreed to spend £417 million on services in the year ahead, including support for those most affected by Covid-19.

The budget for 2021-22 does not include any new cuts to services (beyond some of those already identified a year ago), recognising the pressures on many families, individuals and businesses in East Sussex.

Council tax for services provided by the county council will increase for a typical (Band D) home by £1 a week from April.

Council leader Keith Glazier said: “By working with our partners in East Sussex, and with good financial planning, we’ve been able to agree a budget which adds no new cuts to services and keeps us above our core offer – the minimum level of service we think residents should be able to expect.”

The budget summary (draft) in full 

If you need extra help to get food, medicines or essentials during the coronavirus pandemic, or you are lonely and isolated, there is support available.

You may need extra help for a range of reasons, for example if you’re self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms, shielding yourself because you’re at higher risk, or quarantining before a medical procedure.

If you can, we’d ask you to turn to trusted family, friends and neighbours for help. But if you don’t have anyone you trust living nearby, you can ask for support from your local community hub (and other places). There are five community hubs across East Sussex – one in each district or borough.

More about the support available and how to contact your nearest community hub

East Sussex is holding local elections on Thursday 6 May – but did you know you can arrange to vote by post if you apply now?

The elections are for all 50 county councillors, for some seats on district and borough councils and for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex.

Polling stations will be open as normal, but if you’d rather vote by post than in person, you can apply now to do this.

Apply for a postal vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

More details about registering to vote and contacting your local election office

If you have any virus-like symptoms - even very mild ones - we'd ask you to you book a test immediately. There's a testing site near you, in Bexhill, Crowborough, Eastbourne, Hastings, or Plumpton, and they're quick to arrange. 

Get a free test