Vaccinations start at Sheffield GPs as rollout of Oxford Covid-19 vaccine begins

The second coronavirus vaccines are being delivered to sites across the country as the Government aims to achieve its target of vaccinating more than 13 million people in the top four priority groups by mid-February.

It comes as NHS trusts in London are on the verge of being overwhelmed, according to leaked health service documents, while other trusts are rapidly turning normal wards into intensive care units (ICUs).

There were were 30,451 people in UK hospitals with coronavirus as of January 4, much higher than the April 12 peak of 21,684.

Exhausted staff in one of England’s largest hospitals have told the PA news agency they are working “to the limit” of their ability.

PA was granted rare access to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south-west London, where the trust has had to vastly expand intensive care capacity and move under-qualified staff to high dependency roles.

Medical registrar Omome Etomi, said it was impossible to predict the profile of patients brought in for care – and whether they will survive.

The 28-year-old said: “We are seeing patients across the spectrum, from their 20s right up to people in their 80s and 90s.

“It’s so unpredictable – I can’t tell you who’s going to be unwell and not, who’s going to improve and go home and who’s going to have a longer stay in ITU (intensive care or high dependency).”

Dr Mark Haden, an emergency department consultant, said the rising numbers of very sick patients was having a huge impact on staff.

“The hospital bed occupancy is very, very high, it has lots of Covid patients as inpatients at the moment. It’s very stressful for staff and that is starting to show.”

The first community vaccinations in England with the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab are due to take place in GP surgeries on Thursday and it is hoped that around 1,000 sites will be delivering vaccines by the end of the week.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored at normal fridge temperatures, unlike the Pfizer jab which requires storage at minus 70C.

Seven mass-vaccination centres will also open next week in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Surrey and Stevenage.

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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.