Solent NHS Trust joins national COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
Solent NHS Trust has begun administering COVID-19 vaccinations to NHS community and mental health staff, from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as part of the largest vaccination programme the NHS has ever undertaken.
The dedicated COVID-19 vaccination hub in Millbrook, Southampton was opened today, Monday 4 January 2021.
NHS staff working from the hub will initially be offering vaccines to community healthcare staff, working in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, as part of the widening of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The hub will benefit more people as the vaccination rolls out further, such as frontline social care and care home staff.
Dr Dan Baylis, Chief Medical Officer at Solent NHS Trust, said: "We are proud that Solent NHS Trust has been asked to support the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination programme across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“Coronavirus has been the single biggest public health emergency in the health service’s history, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who was involved in setting up the vaccination hub in the city. I am also very thankful to the NHS staff who are doing an incredible job to deliver what is the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as continuing to be there for everyone who needs care.
“By ensuring NHS staff have had their vaccine we can be certain that 
they are protected, and NHS services are accessible for people throughout winter and beyond.”
“We are also preparing additional local facilities, across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to offer additional local vaccination services to local people.”
Among the first to receive the vaccine was Doctor Uma Rani Padmanabhi, who works for Solent NHS Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
She said: “I’m really happy that the rollout of the vaccine for my colleagues and myself has begun.
“The past year has been such an incredibly difficult time for everyone, particularly for those working across the frontline of the NHS – but getting the vaccine really does give us all a sense of hope and optimism that this may be the beginning of the road to normality.
“I would strongly encourage everyone to take the opportunity to receive the vaccine when it is available to them.”
Abigail Bartlett, Rehabilitation Assistant for the Community Neuro Rehab Team at Solent NHS Trust also received the vaccine. Abigail regularly visits people in the community to provide care and support. She said “I want to do everything I can to keep providing care safely, and that’s why I felt it was vitally important to take the vaccine.”
The vaccination centre in Millbrook joins the network of GP practices, hospital hubs and other community locations that are already in operation around the region.