The NHS in Essex launched a new website, giving residents the latest information and advice on the local COVID-19 vaccination programme. Set up by Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership (MSEHCP), it can be accessed by visiting www.essexcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/
The easy-to-use website provides a wealth of reliable and useful information about vaccination, ensuring residents have the most up-to-date information available, including:
- Guidance on who is currently eligible for the vaccine
- Where to go for your vaccination
- How to book a vaccination appointment
- Information about attending your appointment
- Advice about symptoms and getting yourself tested for Covid-19
The site also provides information in different languages along with a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section, covering the most commonly asked questions. There’s also information about self-care, volunteering and local support.
With so much information about COVID-19 and the vaccines available, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to go to find the most up-to-date information; the site acts as a ‘one stop shop’ of valuable information, as well as serving to dispel some of the inaccurate and sometimes confusing myths surrounding vaccination.
Anthony McKeever, Executive Lead for Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership & Joint Accountable Officer for the five CCGs, said:
Our priority is to get people vaccinated safely and efficiently and provide Essex residents with the most up-to-date and correct information and guidance around Covid-19 vaccination. This website will help to cut through some of the misinformation and concerns people may have around the vaccine and reassure people that they are doing the right thing."
The website will be updated regularly.
COVID-19 information is available in different languages and more accessible formats, to ensure no one is forgotten
The NHS in Essex is making sure everyone has access to useful information about COVID-19 and the vaccination programme. A range of materials in different languages including Polish, Romanian and Chinese, along with information in different formats including easy-read leaflets, and video, can be found on the recently launched Essex-wide website www.essexcovidvaccine.nhs.uk. This will help make sure that we reach as many of our diverse communities across Essex as possible.
The information available covers a range of topics including:
- General vaccination advice and guidance
- Easy-read information for people with learning difficulties
- Resources for people with sensory impairment
- Information on why you have to wait for a vaccine and what to expect afterwards
- Advice for older adults and pregnant women
- Advice for using transport
- Key information for migrants
You can access translated and easy-read information by visiting the ‘Information and Support’ page at www.essexcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/information-support/
Dr Sunil Gupta, a GP and Senior Responsible Officer for promoting equality and reducing inequalities in mid and south Essex said:
We want to make sure everyone in Essex has access to the latest information about COVID-19 and getting vaccinated. This includes residents from our diverse communities who we know can sometimes be hesitant about getting a vaccination.
This can be down to language barriers in our communities as well as the need to make information available in a range of formats that are easily understood. Providing translated information in a resident’s own language is an essential part of getting everyone vaccinated and protecting our communities.”
Notes to editors
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Background on national COVID vaccination programme
The NHS will offer vaccinations using four different models.
1. Hospital Hubs were set up first. This was so that the vaccine can be stored safely and where many in the top priority groups –including the over 80s, care home workers and at-risk NHS staff – have been able to get vaccinated on site.
2. To make it as easy as possible for those who are eligible to access a vaccination safely, Local Vaccination Services have also now been set up. These community and primary care-led services will vary based on local and logistical considerations but include GP practices, local authority sourced buildings or other local facilities, as well as roving teams who have started delivering it in care homes and to patients who are housebound.
3. The NHS is also now establishing Vaccination Centres, where larger numbers of people will be able to go and get vaccinated.
4. High street based Community Pharmacy Sites of which there are two live in Essex so far.
More information can be found by visiting www.essexcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/
