More Than A Million Anti-Coronavirus Vaccine Doses Administered In Sussex

An independent health watchdog in Sussex has confirmed official figures showing patients here have received a total of over a million doses of the vaccine treatment proven to control coronavirus infections.

Additionally, according to Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, Sussex met the government target to vaccinate older care home residents by the end of January 2021.

The county's medics were also able to offer inoculations to everyone in the government's top 4 priority groups by mid-February.

Now, the NHS in Sussex is calling for people to continue to attend booked COVID-19 vaccination appointments, and to book appointments as soon as it is their turn.

Anyone who has already received one vaccination is also being encouraged to attend their appointment for their second dose, and make sure they receive the full long lasting protection this provides.

This comes after the Government updated its advice about who should receive the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, following reports of a very rare blood clotting problem affecting a small number of people in response to their first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccination.

Statistics brought forward via the NHS show the condition remains extremely rare, with around four people develop this condition for every million doses of the vaccine doses given.

At the same time, it has been announced that it is preferable for people under the age of 30 with no underlying health conditions to be offered an alternative vaccine where possible once they are eligible.

The NHS says the benefits of an Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination for people aged 30 and over, outweighs any risk and everyone should attend their appointment.

As a precaution against these clotting incidences, anyone receiving an Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccination should call 111 immediately if they get any of the following symptoms starting from around 4 days to 4 weeks after being vaccinated: 

• a severe headache that is not relieved with painkillers or is getting worse
• a headache that feels worse when you lie down or bend over
• a headache that's unusual for you and occurs with blurred vision, feeling or being sick, problems speaking, weakness, drowsiness or seizures (fits)
• a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin
• shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal (tummy) pain