Vaccine dose being administered in a patient's arm

NHS begins delivering newly-approved Oxford vaccine jabs

The NHS is set to begin administering the new Oxford vaccine from today, with 82-year-old Brian Pinker from Oxford being the first person outside clinical trials to receive the newly-approved coronavirus jab.

Having seen the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approve the prospective vaccine for use last week, the NHS now becomes the first health service in the world to deliver the new jab.

With much less intensive temperature storage requirement, the Oxford vaccine has been seen as a huge step forward in the country’s ambitious national vaccination programme – allowing for easier administering of the vaccine in community setting, where the lack the cold chain storage capabilities necessary for the alternative Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Hundreds of new vaccination sites are set to join the already 700-strong national network this week to support this wider vaccine rollout.

The first Oxford vaccinations are being delivered at a small number of hospitals for the initial few days, to allow for surveillance purposes and more rapid response to any potential negative reactions to the vaccine – a process that is standard practice for any new vaccine jab.

Provided it proves successful, the bulk of supplies are then set to be sent out to hundreds of GP practices around the country.

Oxford University NHS Hospital Trust, where the vaccine was developed, administered the very first Oxford vaccine dose to local resident Mr Pinker, a retired maintenance manager who has been having dialysis for kidney disease at the hospital for a number of years, early Monday morning.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “The delivery of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine marks another first for the NHS, and a major milestone in humanity’s battle against coronavirus.

“The vaccination programme – the biggest in NHS history – has got off to a strong start, and by New Year’s Day we’d been able to vaccinate more people than the rest of Europe combined.

“Now we have a second, more versatile, jab in our armoury, and NHS staff are expanding the programme as extra vaccine supplies come onstream, and the arrival of the Oxford jab, coupled with more Pfizer vaccine being made available, will allow us to protect many more people faster.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson added: “The Oxford vaccine is a triumph of British science and I want to thank everyone involved in its development and production.

“From tomorrow, the NHS will start using the Oxford vaccine to give protection against Covid-19.

“We know there are challenges still ahead of us over the coming weeks and months, but I’m confident this is the year we will defeat Coronavirus and start building back better.”

National Health Executive, Jan/Feb, Cover

NHE Jan/Feb 22

The pioneering programmes aimed at solving the NHS workforce pressures - starting at the top

This issue highlights the latest topics within the health sector, from pioneering programmes aimed at solving the NHS workforce pressures, treatment to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease, how the UK is leading the way in cancer research & more!

Videos...

View all videos
National Health Executive Presents

National Health Executive Presents

NHE365 Virtual Events

NHE has created a full calendar of events to address the most important issues that influence the delivery of healthcare services. Over 365 days you'll have the opportunity to hear from a range of highly motivating, informative and inspirational speakers. These speakers will equip you with the knowledge and unique insight to enable you to overcome the challenges that you face.

Finger on the Pulse

Ep 14. Health messaging is a science, Professor Craig Jackson

On Episode 14 of NHE's Finger on the Pulse podcast, we're joined by Professor Craig Jackson, Professor of Occupational Health Psychology
Birmingham City University to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, the health messaging around it and how those in power have missed a trick by overlooking the key role of psychology in informing the public of restrictions, measures and the ever-changing situation

More articles...

View all