COVID-19 vaccine information

The COVID-19 vaccination programme is now well underway in Hastings and for those in the priority groups eligible for the vaccine there are a number of ways in which the vaccination is being rolled out to our communities:

• GP led vaccination services - run by a group of GP practices working together to provide the vaccination to their collective patients at one location in a local area
• Large vaccination centres and local pharmacy service - each county will have one or several large vaccination centres and local pharmacies which will be able to give the vaccine to large numbers of people as more supplies become available. 
• Roving service - the vaccine is being taken into care homes and into people's own homes if they cannot attend a vaccination site
• Hospital hubs -hospital hubs are focused on vaccinating health and care staff.

All of these services are working alongside each other and provide people with choice to decide where they would like to receive their vaccination. 

Who can get the vaccine currently?

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus.

It's being given to:

• people aged 45 and over
• people who are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• people who are at moderate risk from coronavirus (clinically vulnerable)
• people who have a learning disability and are registered on the GP Learning Disability Register
• people who live or work in care homes
• eligible health and social care workers
• unpaid carers

The latest official national data on COVID-19 vaccinations can be found on the NHS website.

How and where can I get my vaccine?

Hospital hub at the Conquest hospital, Hastings

This is focussed on vaccinating health and care staff, including care home staff. If you work in one of these areas your employer will tell you how you can book an appointment at the hospital hub.

GP led vaccination service at the Hastings Centre, The Ridge, Hastings

The GP led vaccination service at the Hastings Centre are contacting patients directly by phone, text or letter to book an appointment. People will also be contacted directly if they are housebound and not able to access a service, make sure your GP surgery knows you are housebound.

If you have received a text message from 'NHSNoReply' offering you an appointment, you can book it online immediately at the Hastings Centre using your smartphone. You will never be asked for your bank details.

If you are aged 50 and over and haven't had your jab yet call the Hastings Centre vaccination team on 07447 439135 or ask your GP surgery to book an appointment for you if you cannot book it online.

Large vaccination centre -such as the Brighton Centre, The Welcome Building, Eastbourne and local pharmacy services such as Laycock Pharmacy in Ore, Hastings

Anyone in groups currently being offered a jab, see above can now book their vaccine through the national booking service and these appointments will be at the larger vaccination centres and local pharmacy services.  Letters and text messages are being sent to anyone in those groups inviting you to book an appointment and out how you can do this. 

If you receive a letter from the national booking system and cannot travel to a large vaccination centre, you can leave the letter and you can book an appointment at the GP led vaccination service at the Hastings Centre instead.

You don't have to wait to be invited if you are in the eligible groups you can go online to www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119.

The national booking service shows appointments at the larger vaccination centres and at the select pharmacy led services and allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them.

Frequently asked questions

If you would like to know more about the vaccination programme, there are regularly updated FAQs on the Sussex Health and Care Partnership website, to address common questions and queries. Read the latest FAQs

I need help to get to my vaccine appointment

East Sussex residents who have no means to get to their COVID-19 vaccination appointment will be able to book a free return journey to help them attend.
 
To book free travel please book your vaccination appointment first and then call 07871 603 235 to speak to a travel coordinator. The booking service is available between 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Monday to Friday.
 
Once you are through to a travel coordinator you will be asked the following questions:

• Do you have access to transport to attend your vaccine appointment?
• Do you have a family member, friend or carer who can help with transport? They do not have to be in your bubble as per government guidelines.

If both of these options are not available the travel coordinator will arrange transport for you, including any additional needs such as wheelchair-friendly vehicles.
 
All transport providers have signed up to a COVID-19 safety policy to ensure that all precautions are in place for a safe journey.

Hastings HEART are also offering free transport for people struggling to get to vaccination centres. HEART volunteer drivers are all vaccinated themselves and are trained in cleaning their vehicles to make them as safe as possible for people to travel in. To request vaccination transport visit the Hastings HEART website and fill in a simple help request form or call 01424 235290 and request a call-back. Messages are picked up throughout the day and HEART aims to respond to everyone requesting help within 24hrs.

If you need to take public transport to your vaccine appointment, then the latest Hastings bus timetable can be found on Stagecoach's website.