Be patient, urges GP, amid Covid-19 vaccines roll-out

The Covid 19 vaccine roll-out continues.

A Derry GP is urging the public to be patient as Covid-19 vaccines continue to be rolled-out locally.

A number of GP practices across the North are currently administering 50,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine which was approved for use in the UK on December 30.

Dr Paul Molloy says more medical practices will begin to distribute the ‘jab’ in “the next week or two”.

He added: “I would ask people not to contact their practice asking about dates. You will be contacted when it’s your turn. I understand everyone’s eagerness to get back to normal but let’s just have a wee bit of patience now.

“If your practice is doing a vaccination clinic, they will be running a skeleton staff system as vaccination has now become the number one overall priority. As a result, you might have a slightly reduced service on those days so be prepared for that.”

Dr Molloy says Northern Ireland already has 50,000-60,000 doses of the AZ/Oxford vaccine.

“We will have 160,000 more doses by January 24, 323,000 more by February 15 and 479,000 more by March 1, with more to follow after. This means we will be moving through the cohorts rapidly from mid-January onwards.”

Dr Molloy says the distribution of second doses is scheduled to begin on March 15 - which is 10 weeks after the first dose to “allow a little contingency room”.

“Their supply schedule at the moment will ensure this is not a problem,” he added,

He says that, in addition, a significant amount of the Pfizer vaccine is due to arrive in early February. “This will still only go to the Trusts,” he added.

Turning to the frontline battle against the virus, Dr Molloy says the local Covid assessment centre at Altnagelvin Hospital is, as expected, very busy this week and probably will be for another few weeks.

“It’s vitally important in this ‘home straight’ that we all take every precaution and follow the guidance on staying in, wearing masks and washing our hands,” he added.