Sheffield hospital boss reveals what you must NOT do it you want the Covid vaccine

Professor Chris Morley is leading the Covid-19 vaccination programme at the Trust, after the first Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus jabs were administered at the Northern General Hospital and other hospitals across the nation yesterday (Tuesday, December 8).

The chief nurse said historic ‘V-Day’ went ‘amazingly well’ at Sheffield’s hospital vaccination hub but urged people to continue to follow lockdown rules and maintain good hygiene to limit the spread of the virus as the jab is rolled-out.

He told BBC Radio Sheffield’s Toby Foster: "Obviously we spent a lot of time planning for the day and getting everything in place but it was the first day and considering that it went amazingly well and there was a real buzz in the room.

"It's great as you say to take a positive step forward in this year that has been a bit challenging.

"Yesterday was a great day, a big day for us.

"We obviously began the programme of vaccination but we will be rolling it out over the coming weeks and months so we've got the light at the end of the tunnel.

"But we just need to make sure we don't make that tunnel any longer by not continuing to do the things we've been doing up to now which is keeping good hand hygiene, minding your space, keeping that distance and wearing masks where you need to.”

Professor Morley warned residents to ‘not relax our guard’ as the programme to vaccinate high-risk members of the population against the deadly virus.

Yesterday, hospitals across the UK concentrated on administering the Covid-19 jab to patients aged over 80 alongside NHS staff with underlying health conditions who are deemed at ‘serious risk’ of becoming ill if they catch the virus.

The chief nurse admitted that staff delivering the injection at the Northern General would also be prioritising vaccinating care home staff, who work with some of the most vulnerable patients in the community, this week.

Professor Morley said he would be “champing at the bit” to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine but assured listeners he would “need to wait [his] turn” like other NHS staff.

The health care professional warned residents not to turn up to hospitals for the vaccine and instead urged them to wait to be contacted by the NHS who will arrange an appointment.

"I think the problem at the moment is saying to people please bear with us, we will get to you.

"Don't call us or your GP about the vaccine, we will contact you so at the moment I think it is concentrating as much as we can on those people who want to have the vaccine for now.”

Vaccination hubs in the UK will take a break from administering the jab over the Christmas weekend but will continue administering injections before and after this period, according to Professor Morley.

He also said the major vaccination programme is expected to continue up to Easter 2021 but it is ‘difficult to say’ when the coronavirus jab may become as readily available as the flu vaccine.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.