Bexhill care home residents receive first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

Ashbridge Court Care Centre, in Barnhorn Road, Bexhill, said the first doses were received last week.

Alongside its sister care home, Inglewood Nursing Home, in Eastbourne, the home has been playing a part in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme among care homes in East Sussex.

Residents and staff at the homes have received their first vaccinations, with the second due early next month, according to Canford Healthcare, the group owner.

This week, people in England aged 70 and over will begin receiving their first vaccine this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

Residents and staff in Canford’s other nine homes across Kent, Essex and Middlesex will all have received their first vaccinations by the end of this week, a spokesman said.

Inglewood’s manager Gail Watkins said: “We are very grateful to the vaccination team for their kindness and efficiency during the process.

“Our staff have worked very hard to keep residents safe during the pandemic, but knowing that our residents are vaccinated is a huge boost to everyone’s morale. We’re determined not to become complacent, though. For us, the vaccine is just another – albeit vitally important – tool in the fight against Covid-19, alongside PPE, social distancing and our strict hygiene and infection control measures.

“We believe that these will all still be necessary for some time, although we cannot wait for the time when we can welcome visitors safely back to our home.”