986,486 vaccine jabs have been given across Kent and Medway. Of these, 870,141 are first doses. This means 85% of the nine priority groups are now protected with a first dose.
First doses for 50+ and vulnerable groups
If you are eligible but not yet had a first dose, please do now call your GP to arrange an appointment for the next available clinic.
April first dose supplies
National supply constraints during April means limited appointments will be available for first dose vaccines at our large vaccination centres and pharmacies.
Services will be concentrating on second doses and outreach services until supplies increase.
Second doses
Supplies for second doses are not affected and appointments will be continuing across all services.
Second doses will be given by the same service that did your first dose.
For GP-led vaccination services, you should be contacted about second dose appointments no later than the Monday of the 11th week after your first dose.
If you have not heard by that point, please contact your GP to check.
There is more detail in our weekly vaccines update
Covid restrictions: what you can and cannot do
Some of the rules on what you can and cannot do have changed. You can now gather with either two households or up to six people outdoors, and outdoor sports facilities will also reopen for use.
Many restrictions remain in place.
You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with or have formed a support bubble with.
Where possible, you should continue to work from home and minimise the number of journeys you make.
Holidays abroad are not allowed.
You can read the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 (roadmap)’ for more information on the roadmap out of lockdown in England.
Integrated Care System established
From 1st April 2021, the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership has been formally confirmed as an Integrated Care System.
Interim Chair, John Goulston, welcomed the move, saying:
“Together we can be more than the sum of our parts, and we will achieve more for the health and wellbeing of our population by maximising the integration of services.
“As a partnership, we have agreed a simple statement of our purpose: We will work together to make health and wellbeing better than any partner can do alone.”
Read more here
Help improve diabetes care in east Kent
People living with diabetes, their family and carers are being asked for their views on a major programme to enhance diabetes services.
Led by diabetes specialists from the NHS and local councils in east Kent, the aim is to deliver more effective and accessible care, as well as prevent people from developing the disease through improved education.
Please find out more and complete a short survey online now until 23rd April.
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
