ALL residents living in care homes across Sussex have been offered the Covid-19 vaccine.

The biggest vaccination programme in NHS history has reached an important milestone with people in hundreds of homes given the jab.

This means the county will have met the target set by the government to vaccinate older care home residents by the end of January 2021.

Sussex NHS Commissioners chief nursing officer Allison Cannon said the county has "one of the highest" number of care homes across the country - making the achievement all the more "significant".

She said: "By vaccinating thousands of older people across hundreds of care homes in Sussex, we have given them not only some protection against the virus, but also a sense of hope.

READ MORE >> Coronavirus: Six people die at Brighton and Sussex Trust

“In Sussex, we have one of the highest numbers of nursing and care homes per capita across the country and so this work is a significant undertaking.

"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our vaccination teams for their ceaseless work around the clock to get this vital protection to our older people.

The Argus: It means the county has met the target set by the government to vaccinate older care home residents by the end of January 2021It means the county has met the target set by the government to vaccinate older care home residents by the end of January 2021

“We continue to vaccinate thousands of care staff every day. They have worked tirelessly to look after our most vulnerable people through some very difficult months and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication and commitment.

"I would urge anyone in these roles to take the vaccine if you are offered it. Those working in care homes are at much higher risk of repeated exposure to the infection.

"Catching Covid-19 can be serious and may lead to long term complications, but you can also have the virus without any symptoms and pass it on to family, friends and residents, many of whom may be at increased risk.”

A small remainder of homes yet to have a jab in Sussex have had their visits deferred following local outbreaks, the commission said.

However, these homes, as well as any other residents or staff that were unable to have a vaccine at the vaccination team’s initial visit, will be visited "as soon as possible."

Vaccination teams are continuing to administer jabs, in an attempt to meet the target of vaccinating all care home residents, people aged over 70, and frontline health and care workers in Sussex by 15 February 2021.