Things may have felt rather bleak as we went into a third lockdown last week, but there is hope: a new vaccination clinic has opened at the Somer Centre, Midsomer Norton, in the latest local development in the fight against Covid-19.

The closest site until now was Combe Down, Bath, with other sites expected to open this week; some offering the newly-approved vaccine developed at Oxford University.

At the moment only those who are elderly or at high risk are being invited for vaccination, and you must wait for contact, rather than turn up locally.

The clinic opening in Midsomer Norton last Friday joined other sites in Trowbridge, Calne, Batheaston, Wilton, Tidworth and Malmesbury.

News of these additional sites comes as cases of Coronavirus continue to rise across the region.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality for the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The first few months of this new year is when we really expect to hit our stride in terms of vaccinating those who are most at risk of developing serious health complications after

catching Coronavirus.

“To know that more vaccination sites are opening up within the first two weeks of the year is remarkable, and a reflection of our overall ambition to offer the vaccine quickly and safely to as many people as possible.

“I know that many people, especially those over the age of eighty, will be feeling anxious over not having yet received an invitation to be vaccinated, but please be patient and rest assured that we are working our way through the lists and no person will be forgotten.”

People expecting to receive a vaccine appointment letter are asked not to contact their local GP practice or hospital, and instead wait to be contacted by the NHS, which is allocating appointments based on the number of available vaccines.

When all of the new vaccination sites are up and running, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will have around twenty venues offering the vaccines to those who are eligible.

The CCG, along with other NHS organisations across the country, is inviting people to be vaccinated in order of priority need, which has been outlined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

People with questions about the local Coronavirus vaccination programme are encouraged to send their queries via email to: [email protected].It was a memorable day for Elm Hays Surgery Lead Practice Nurse Teall. She said: “I feel privileged to be part of it and be able to vaccinate some of our older population. They made me laugh and cry on the day and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them all. It filled me with hope for the future and love for my job. It was a huge team effort, set up by a very dedicated and hardworking team of multi-professionals.”For one local couple the much-needed medical break-though will bring new joy to 2021. Jenny and David Cook spent most of 2020 at home, keeping away from other people and just getting through those never ending Covid -19 restrictions. They were happy to get out in the garden when the weather was fine and grateful that they had each other for company, but it’s been a long haul. David says: “We have been very lucky to have each other, although I do miss my golf”. Both aged 84, they have two children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren with the most recent, Harrison, arriving during June’s lockdown. Jenny Cook said: “That was the most difficult time, not being able to properly welcome the new baby to the family. We have only seen him on Facebook and photos so far”. Double joy for them will be a sixth great-grandchild expected in the Spring. Jenny adds: “The thought of just being able to hold and cuddle them both will make such a difference after all this time”. After their vaccinations David and Jenny also said: “We would like to say thank you to all those who made it possible. The staff we spoke to were working long hours to ensure everything goes so well and we were very impressed at the set-up.” The vaccination programme continues with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine due to arrive very soon.

Staff at the RUH also began receiving vaccinations on Tuesday last week, with hundreds more in line to be inoculated in the coming weeks.

Chief Executive of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Cara Charles-Barks, hailed the launch as a significant step forward in the hospital’s fight against Covid-19. In a message to staff, she said: “Your health and wellbeing as front line responders to this virus is of utmost importance. Our aim is to vaccinate all our staff by the spring.

“Everyone matters at the RUH and we are all working extremely hard to make sure that we can vaccinate you all.”

One of the first members of staff to be vaccinated was Sheena Brown, a Staff Nurse and former Ward Sister who has worked for the NHS for 48 years.

She said: “It feels great to have had the vaccine. I’m a vaccinator as well, so I’ve been here since 8 am today helping to vaccinate staff.

“I think it is very important that people get the jab when they are offered it. The country is going through such a difficult time and this will help save lives and stop the NHS getting overwhelmed.”

More information about the vaccine can be found online at: www.nhs.uk.