THERE were wishes of ‘Merry Christmas’ as nurses vaccinated hundreds of pensioners in Oxford today against coronavirus.

GPs have now begun community rollout in the city, with Barton Neighbourhood Centre, along with two other hubs in East Oxford and Jericho, first to start.

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In Barton, it was Manor Surgery patients being vaccinated on Friday, with around 400 people aged over 80 seen between 8.30am and 6pm.

Among them was Laurence Loh, aged 83, who said before getting the jab he had no concerns and was ‘ready to go’.

Oxford Mail:

The retired doctor, who specialised in neuroscience during his time at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added his three children had been pleased to hear he had been called in for the vaccine.

He said: "They've been very careful. I think they've been more concerned than me."

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Mr Loh added he was impressed by the efficiency at the Barton hub, saying: "Everything went very quickly. I was was seen straight away and had expected there to be more of a wait."

As more elderly patients arrived, there was palpable happiness among nurses administering the jab.

Oxford Mail:

Manor Surgery practice nurse Sam Dunstan said it felt good to be part of a ‘moment in history’, adding: “It feels like there’s light at the end of the tunnel finally.”

She spoke after having given the vaccine to Colvin Lee, who said he usually didn't get a seasonal flu jab or even visit the doctor very often but felt compelled to come get the Pfizer vaccine.

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The 85-year-old said: "I know I'm in a vulnerable group but I've had it more to protect other people than myself."

He added: "I would encourage everyone invited to come get the vaccine. It's easy and I'm feeling fine."

Oxford Mail:

Manor Surgery GP Dr Joe McManners said he was pleased with how things were running.

He praised the ‘totally amazing’ team of GPs, nurses, admin staff and volunteers ensuring the process of getting people in, screened, vaccinated and then observed for 15 minutes post jab, was as smooth as possible.

He added: "Everybody is really buzzing to be doing something positive about Covid. It's especially nice to be starting with the over 80s."

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More vaccinations will take place tomorrow with patients from partner practice Hedena Health, as well as a final group from Manor Surgery due on Sunday.

Each set of vaccines delivered to primary care network hubs contains 975 doses and all must be administered within approximately three and a half days due to the requirements of the Pfizer vaccine, which must be stored at -70C.

Patients will then return in three weeks for a second dose, to give the most effective protection.

Oxford Mail:

A first wave of GP -led vaccinations began earlier this week in Abingdon, Chipping Norton and Henley. The three locations were chosen due to their high proportion of elderly residents.

There have also been vaccinations carried out at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, which became one of the first places in the world to administer the Pfizer jab last week.

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It was selected as one of 50 hospital hubs to begin the largest immunisation campaign in the history of the NHS.

The most at-risk frontline health and social care staff, as well as patients over 80 were among the initial vaccine recipients.

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