Coronavirus vaccine: GPs expected to deliver 1,000 vaccinations per week as Kent doctors gear up for first doses of Pfizer vaccine
15:51, 02 December 2020
updated: 17:41, 02 December 2020
Doctors surgeries will be expected to deliver 1,000 coronavirus vaccinations per week once the programme is up and running.
The exact number of practices which have signed up in Kent and Medway has not been revealed but NHS England said "a large number of designated sites" have been identified across the country.
Guidance to GP surgeries - agreed between NHS England and the British Medical Association - setting out how they are expected to operate will come into force on Tuesday.
The Enhanced Service Specification for the coronavirus vaccination also sets out criteria surgeries must meet to be registered.
Doctors have been given until midnight on December 8 to sign up with NHS England if they wish to be commissioned to issue vaccinations.
Surgeries approved by NHS England will be able to administer the vaccine between seven and 10 days later to allow clinics to be set up.
They must list a designated site where vaccinations will be given unless doctors feel it "would be inappropriate for the patient to attend" and provide it at another location.
NHS England says it will work with practices to "identify pragmatic local solutions to vaccinating these patients" such as residents in care homes who may be unable to leave for medical reasons.
The document says: "GP practices should understand that the vaccine availability and supply is challenging and may be constrained and is subject to change over time."
It adds decisions will be needed regarding the allocation of vaccines and prioritising individual practices and partnerships throughout the programme.
In a letter to GPs, Dr Nikita Kanani, NHS England medical director for primary care, and Ed Waller, NHS England primary care director, said surgeries must be ready to operate seven days per week between 8am and 8pm to issue the vaccine.
"This will only be required where the supply of vaccine necessitates this to ensure all of the vaccine available is being used to vaccinate patients as quickly as possible," they said.
"This is not about creating an expectation that teams will be available when vaccine supply does not facilitate these hours, or where volumes supplied do not necessitate them.
"Many of you have asked about the possibility of additional sites becoming part of the programme, including individual practice locations.
"This may be possible over time as vaccine supply increases and as different vaccinations become available but at its outset, the programme will only operate from the designated sites, reflecting various logistical constraints around some of the vaccines themselves, and the wider supply chain.
"We will keep this position under review to balance logistical factors and access considerations, communicating any changes as quickly as possible."
"A large number of PCN vaccination sites have now been designated and we are incredibly grateful for general practices’ commitment to ensuring their patients are vaccinated as soon as possible when vaccines become available."
GPs must follow the cohorts ensuring the most vulnerable patients are vaccinated first as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
