The NHS is to provide GPs an extra £10 for every care home resident they are able to vaccinate against COVID by the end of January in an accelerated drive to protect the most vulnerable.
The £10 per jab additional funding for GPs is expected to see the majority of care home residents vaccinated by the end of January and all those who have not had the jab are expected to have an appointment by then. NHS staff are also being prioritised now that more vaccine is coming on stream.
Dr. Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care, said: “Three quarters of a million people have now received the Pfizer vaccine thanks to the tireless efforts of NHS staff who have given up time with their families over Christmas to deliver vaccines at the same times as treating record numbers of seriously-ill patients with COVID-19.
“As we head into the New Year with a second vaccine that is also more versatile we will be able to expand the programme and ensure that the majority of care home residents are protected within the next four weeks or so.
“It is also great news that we will be able to begin vaccinating NHS staff serving on the frontline to protect them against coronavirus.”
NHS organisations have also been asked to start vaccinating nurses, doctors and other staff immediately, as additional supplies become available. Until now they were only being jabbed if vaccine was going to be unused.
Priority groups for vaccination in this initial phase were determined by the government following advice from the JCVI and were people aged 80 and over, as well as care home residents and staff.
