COVID-19: vaccines, free transport and lateral flow testing

June 2021

We are working with the NHS to support the Covid-19 vaccination programme in West Sussex. There's free transport available for those who need it too

We are also encouraging people to take up the free lateral flow tests offered by the government as part of the community effort against coronavirus. You can order lateral flow tests here: Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You can book your vaccination appointments online or by calling 119.

There is free transport for people in West Sussex who have no means to get to their vaccination appointment. Once someone has booked their vaccination appointment, they can apply for the free transport. Please call the West Sussex travel coordinators on 01444 275 008 to find out more.

The vaccine is now being given to:

    • people aged 18 and over
    • people at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
    • people who live or work in care homes
    • health and social care workers
    • people with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
    • people with a learning disability
    • people who are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus – find out more about Carer's Allowance on GOV.UK.

Anyone eligible will be invited by the NHS – either through the national booking system or through your local GP practice. There are also some walk-in sites now available. Find out more at: Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

We want to encourage everyone who is eligible to take up vaccination. There is support and advice available for anyone worried or unsure about getting the jab and for those who need help to get to a vaccination hub at the website below.

Our front-line staff at West Sussex Mind have been offered the vaccination and many have taken this up which will help protect them as well as the people we are supporting.

Vaccination is a positive step towards protection but there is still a risk so it is important for our staff and those receiving support with us to continue observing advice on social distancing and face masks when at our face-to-face appointments until the government has said it is safe not to do so.

For further information about the vaccination programme, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/.

https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme/

Feeling hesitant?

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