SUSSEX residents can begin getting the Coronavirus vaccine as early as this afternoon, as part of the latest stage of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history, it has been revealed.

GP practices across the county are gearing up to administer the Covid-19 jab to patients.

Eight services that will be supported by 25 practices will go live across today and tomorrow in the first phase of GP led services for the local population.

The sites that go live today are the first across Sussex, but more will launch over the coming weeks with more GP practices contacting patients to invite them in for their vaccinations.

Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff will work alongside GPs to vaccinate those aged 80 and over, as well as care home workers and residents, identified as priority groups for the life-saving vaccine.

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People are asked not to contact their GP surgery so that their practice team can focus on arranging the vaccinations and provide day to day care for all of their registered patients.

Residents will be contacted when it is their turn to receive the vaccine This is the latest stage of the roll-out of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.

Allison Cannon, chief nursing officer at Sussex Commissioners, said: “Today marks a significant day in Sussex as we go live with our first GP led services in the greatest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS. “ "It has been incredible to see the efforts of GP practices and teams across Sussex coming together to work collectively to prepare for today and I am proud of everyone who is involved.

“Just as with our hospital colleagues last week, GPs and their teams have been planning for this alongside providing day to day care for their patients and delivering the flu campaign, which demonstrates just how important this is.

“These sites are only the first GP led vaccination services for our area and we will see many more going live over the coming days and weeks to reach across our entire population and ensure the most vulnerable are protected against COVID-19.

“We won’t be vaccinating everyone all at once - it will be a relatively small number at first - but this is a phased roll out to reach everyone, and I would urge everyone who is contacted to attend your appointment and receive this important protection."

The full list of sites and supporting GP practices:

River Lodge Surgery, Lewes - Foundry Healthcare Lewes

The Meads Medical Centre, Uckfield - Bird-In-Eye Surgery, Buxted Medical Center, Herstmonceux Integrative Health Centre, Mid Downs Medical Practice, The Meads Surgery

Park Surgery, Horsham - Holbrook Surgery, Orchard Surgery, Park Surgery, Riverside Surgery

Angmering Medical Centre - Coppice Surgery, Fitzalan Medical Group

Christ’s Hospital – Blue Coats, Horsham - Cowfold Surgery, Rudgwick Medical Centre, The Courtyard Surgery, Village Surgery

The Glebe Surgery, Storrington - The Glebe

St Augustine’s Arts and Events Centre, Brighton - Preston Park Surgery, Standford Medical Centre, The Haven Practice, Warmdene Surgery

Saxonbrook Medical Centre, Crawley - Bewbush Medical Centre, Coachmans Medical Practice, Gossops Green Medical CTR, Saxonbrook Medical Centre