Vaccinations begin in Basildon

From today (Tuesday 8 December), Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust began offering COVID vaccinations at Basildon Hospital as part of the NHS vaccination programme involving 50 hubs across the country. The first group of people who are eligible for the vaccine are those aged 80 or over, who they are contacting via text message.

Leader of Basildon Council, Councillor Gavin Callaghan, said:

“I was heartened today to see the first person to get the Covid vaccine at Basildon Hospital is a war veteran. Protecting our older residents and those who are vulnerable to the virus because of existing health conditions has always been and will continue to be a priority.

“As brilliant as it is that the vaccination programme has started, we can’t and shouldn’t forget that we have a long way to go. We are at a critical time for our borough, our coronavirus rates are rising, our figures put us in the top 10 areas in the country and we are facing the real possibility of being put into Tier 3 restrictions which would hit our hospitality and leisure businesses at a time they are already facing financial hardship.

“Our actions now really can change that forecast. I know it has been hard this year, to miss out on regular contact with loved ones, our friends and all the things we probably took for granted before coronavirus. But, please, keep to the rules of minimising your social contact, socially distance from those you don’t live with, work from home if you can, wear a face covering where required and keep your hands clean.”

John Baron MP said:

“This is fantastic news, and I congratulate everyone at MSEFT on their hard work in setting up our local vaccination programme. People will be contacted when it is their time to have their vaccine, and I encourage everyone to have the jab when their turn comes. Meanwhile, everyone should continue to observe social distancing, as the vaccine will not make the virus go away overnight.”

Dr. David Walker, Chief Medical Officer of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said,

“The vaccine is our best defence against a virus that is indiscriminate in who it affects. COVID-19 cases are still high in mid and south Essex, and so while the jab is being distributed throughout the community it is vital that we all continue to maintain effective social distancing, wear masks, and regularly wash our hands. These measures together will be a huge step towards getting life back to normal.”

War veteran Frederick Benton (94), from Grays, was the first person in the Trust to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. He said,

“I feel really privileged to be one of the first people in the country to have the vaccine. We’re really lucky, it’s marvellous.”