Lewisham Council COVID-19 Vaccination Survey

The COVID-19 vaccination is being rolled out to priority groups across South-East London. Lewisham Council would like to better understand how people feel about getting the vaccine. To take part in their short survey and share your views select link below:

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I’ve responded to this as although I don’t live in Lewisham, I am a key worker in the borough.

For me it’s quite simple.

I want to protect my friends, family and the customers I serve.
I want to protect my health.
I want my life to get back to normal. My husband hasn’t seen his elderly mother in over a year. I haven’t hugged two of my offspring or my grandaughter in over a year because they don’t live with me. I miss live football - I’ve not been in a full stadium since March last year although I was lucky enough to attend a limited capacity match back in November. I want to hug my wonderful colleagues who have slogged through this horrible time and served the nation.

I want my life back.

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I would get vaccinated today if I could, although i am likely to be at the back of the queue.

A friend of mine is 40 but clinically very vulnerable, she has her appointment next week and wept with relief when it arrived.

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What the survey doesn’t ask about is whether we would choose between the different vaccines that have been developed. I’m no biologist, but the Pfizer vaccine works in a different way to the ‘conventional’ Oxford vaccine. I believe the Moderna one is similar to Pfizer and the Johnson one is similar to the Oxford. My guess is we will eventually get both types, maybe wrapped into one jab.

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I guess as we’re not getting a choice in which vaccine we get there’s no point in asking us!!

Posts from those who’ve already had their first vaccine locally seem to indicate that both the Jenner and Sydenham Green have been supplied with the Pfizer vaccine so far but given the recent news that there is likely to be some short term delivery delays to future Pfizer deliveries that may change!

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There may be competing vaccines in the market later in the year, so pharmacies could be offering a choice. I hope the NHS is going to maintain accurate data on vaccine roll-out, so that efficacy can be properly assessed.

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It’s an interesting question.

The Oxford one is clearly easier to roll-out, and cheaper (which on the scale this need to be done, and likely for a very long time, is important). I don’t know how many places can offer the Pfizer one in view of the temperature it needs to be kept at.

However it appears the Pfizer one based on the RNA technology (if that is the correct term) are apparently much easier to amend for new variants so I guess the question will be how quickly the Oxford one can be changed and how often it will need to be.

I suspect, especially as this will be a global issue, we will continue to have multiple vaccines and we will use a multitude based on which are ready in time for the variant that is around each year. I’m sure they will test combining different vaccines, but suspect (with no knowledge whatsover!) that the biggest issue will be getting out new vaccines for new variants.

The good news appears to be that even with new variants, it looks like vaccines might still work to some extent but it could all change of course.

Me, I’ll take any vaccine offered and will tell everyone in my family to do the same!

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Me too. I’ll take what I am given. I am at very low risk of getting seriously ill with Covid so the primary benefit of vaccinating people like me is to contribute to the herd immunity we need.

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There was a good argument for vaccinating the young and mobile first of all, to prevent the spread, as a first priority, rather than protecting the vulnerable as a first priority. That made sense to me: vaccinate the care workers of care homes (especially those who work at several homes) before vaccinating the residents. But as I understand it, even if you are vaccinated and immunised, the boffins are not certain whether you could still be a carrier and infect others, which I guess undermined that alternative priority. If true that immunised people can infect others, it would also reduce the value of any vaccine-based passport system.

But I suppose the point is to make Covid less severe so if people do get it then it is more like the cold or even symptomless infection some of us already expereience it as.

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Yes, it’s this to help reduce pressure on healthcare and hospitalisations in particular.

I’m must admit that out of the elderly and vulnerable people i know, most of them have either been vaccinated or have appointments in the next week. It seems to be going quite well, though I’m sure there will be some people still waiting.

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Certainly are. Are any of the elderly people you’re talking about under 80?

A couple under 80, but with other health issues / history that would probably have flagged them at being in ‘at risk’ categories.

Thanks. I’m reassured (a bit).

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In London, but not Lewisham, my Dad 80+ and underlying health issues has 2 jabs (Pfizer). My Mum 75+ appointed for 1st jab this weekend, next one will be 12 weeks after. My mother-in-law 70+ waiting for information.

The lady (mid 80s) in Lewisham I help a bit one day per week got her 1st jab the same week my Dad got his 2nd I think. Her second jab will be in 12 weeks (Pfizer). I don’t see my parents basically, but I am so happy this lady got her jab as I am terrified each time I see her I might risk giving her Covid - in this respect I am also pleased my kids are off school.

//not sure that helps but there you go.

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My wife and I (both in our seventies) have been booked in for an appointment tomorrow afternoon at Bell Green,

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Geat news! The vaccination programme really seems to be gathering speed.

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Is that a GP practice?

Yes. I should have said ‘Sydenham Green Health Centre.’

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I’m over 70 with no underlying conditions and I got my invitation last evening; I’m booked in at Sydenham Green and don’t care which vaccine they give me.

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