THE Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton became the first site in the county to administer the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine this morning.
Patients and outpatients aged 80 and above were prioritised along with some health and care staff.
It is believed that the Royal Sussex County Hospital will be able to vaccinate about 500 people each day.
The Pfizer vaccine is administered in two doses, with patients receiving their first dose today set to receive the second dose in three weeks' time.
The site's chief medical officer Dr George Findlay said: "We've got stations set up for patients and staff members to be vaccinated.
"We're vaccinating a number of patients over the age of 80 that are coming to our hospital, and we're also vaccinating staff who are in the vulnerable groups today."
The Royal Sussex County Hospital's chief nurse, Carolyn Morrice, described the introduction of the vaccination centre as "an incredible morale boost".
She said it was important for the hospital to seek ways to better protect its patients, as well as treat them.
"On personal levels, I've heard stories today from people who are saying, 'this means I can go to Australia and see my family'," she said.
"And actually it's taking a toll on us personally, where we are always, at the back of our minds, a little bit worried. Could we cause harm to our loved ones because we work in such a high risk environment?"
One of the very first in our vaccination clinic was Bidge Garton, a volunteer at the Trust for over 35 years. We're proud to be able to administer the vaccine to Bidge today and many more patients over the coming days and weeks. #CovidVaccine #TeamBSUH pic.twitter.com/IORAZfbTUZ
— BSUH NHS (@BSUH_NHS) December 8, 2020
Looking forward, care home staff will begin having appointments booked at the Royal Sussex County Hospital this week for the first dose of their vaccination.
Residents at these homes who are unable to leave this care setting will receive their vaccinations through their GPs over the next few weeks.
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