GPs must prioritize older people from ethnic minorities for coronavirus vaccine

General practitioners have been urged to prioritize older people from ethnic minorities and those with serious underlying health conditions for the coronavirus vaccine.

Practices that lack vaccine for patients over 80 years of age were advised to take into account ethnicity and co-morbidities (other diseases).

After the deployment of the first Pfizer / BioNTech jabs at hospital sites on Tuesday, sites run by general practitioners are expected to start vaccinations next week.

Delivery of the initial vaccine supply will take place the day before vaccination begins, and all sites commissioned next week will receive 975 vaccines upon their initial delivery.

A letter from NHS England last week told GPs: ‘If your site has potentially more than 975 patients over the age of 80 who may wish to be vaccinated, and you need to prioritize patients who should have access to the first vaccine supply at your designated site. , then you might consider the following: i. 80 years or older; ii. comorbidities; iii. ethnicity. ”

Sites run by general practitioners are due to start vaccinations next week (Image:.) Read more Related articles Read more Related articles

But dozens of GP practices in England have chosen not to join the vaccination program due to concerns about already heavy workloads, staff shortages and the impact on patients if other services were to be reduced, the Guardian reported.

The newspaper said some 100,000 patients – out of more than 60 million registered in GP practices across England – could not get the Covid-19 vaccine from their family doctor.

It is understood that if a person’s local GP does not deliver coronavirus vaccines, they will be able to get the vaccine in other places such as hospitals and pharmacies from the end of January. .

The rollout began in hospitals last week (Image: PA) Read more Related Articles

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) described the vaccine rollout as a “huge challenge” in the context of the work doctors are already doing amid the pandemic, which includes an expanded winter flu vaccination program.

The organization said that while there has been “a great response” from many practices, it understands why some “felt they couldn’t register.”

The Pfizer vaccine presents some logistical challenges, as it requires storage temperatures of minus 70 ° C to minus 80 ° C before being thawed, and it can only be moved four times through this cold chain before use.

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) described the vaccine rollout as a ‘huge challenge’ (Image: POOL /. Via.)

Prof Martin Marshall, RCGP President, said: “This will be a huge challenge given the workload and workforce challenges that GPs and our teams are currently working on, delivering the Expanded Immunization Program. against influenza, as well as vital services for our patients. count on us for – and the significant logistical issues associated with delivering Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine to the community level.<!– –>

“Given these challenges, we understand why some practices felt they could not register, but there was a great response from the large number of practices able and willing to be involved.

He said about 280 primary care facilities had been identified for the first phase of the primary care rollout and were preparing to vaccinate patients early next week.

Dr Doreen Brown, 85, received the first of two Pfizer / BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines at Guy Hospital last week (Image :.)

An NHS spokesperson said: ‘As stated and supported by the BMA, general practices will deliver the vaccine from designated sites within primary care networks, where it is safe and convenient to do so, and there had a fantastic response from general practitioners. across England signing up to do so.

“Given the well-known logistical challenges of delivering this particular vaccine, GPs like others across the NHS are now responding quickly to make arrangements for this to happen. “

British Medical Association General Practitioners Committee Chairman Dr Richard Vautrey said there had been an “incredible response” from practices willing to participate and anyone with concerns should seek support. .

He said: “Many practices have come under tremendous pressure and it is understandable that, many of them already struggling with significant workload and manpower issues, or premises. quite simply unsuitable, some are not able to subscribe to the program because they fear it. could dilute the quality and quantity of care they wish to provide to patients.

“For practice groups who are concerned about the suitability of their premises to deliver the immunization program, they will need to discuss with the local commissioners / GCC (clinical commissioning groups) to enable them to resolve these issues as soon as possible. possible and get the support they need. ”

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