The 'phenomenal effort' of NHS teams behind Medway's Covid vaccination programme praised during Downing Street briefing
20:51, 28 April 2021
updated: 12:39, 29 April 2021
Medway was singled out for special praise for its vaccine programme at the Downing Street press conference this afternoon.
Headed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the Towns were highlighted during the question and answer session after a network of GP surgeries carried out their 50,000th jab this week.
Medway Council's Labour group leader, Cllr Vince Maple, who is a volunteer at the Pentagon mass Covid-19 vaccination centre, said: "This is fantastic news for Medway.
"It’s great to hear Medway’s vaccine programme recognised positively during the national coronavirus briefing.
"As a volunteer at the Pentagon Vaccination Centre it’s incredible to see people playing their part both in making the centre run smoothly and also coming to get their jab.
"I’d encourage everyone to step forward when they are invited for their vaccine."
Dr Nikki Kanani said Medway had "knocked it out of the park making sure people are getting protected" in what she described as a "phenomenal effort".
Dr Kanani sent her "heartfelt thanks" to Medway teams administering the vaccine.
Medway GP Dr Satvinder Lall, who is helping lead the vaccine programme for the Rochester, Strood and Medway South primary care networks (PCNs) this week told KentOnline of her pride at the team's work.
She said next phases of the roll out were expected to take place "rapidly" and that doctors were ready to administer vaccines once supplies arrive from the NHS.
Dr Lall said it was vital younger people with concerns about getting a vaccine should speak to a healthcare professional and that steps were in place to reassure and assess people's risks for certain doses.
Last month, a unit at DW Sports at the Chatham shopping centre became Kent's fifth large-scale hub with a capacity to inject about 3,000 people per day.
It is operated by the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust which is also running the four other large-scale centres.
Patients in Medway - the largest conurbation in the south east - have access to the network of GP practices across the Towns, pharmacy vaccine centres, and the Gravesend mass centre, which opened in early February.
About 1,200 weekend appointments are also available at Medway Maritime Hospital.
