Wycombe GPs share the facts about the Covid-19 vaccination at community board briefing

GPs from The Simpson Centre & Penn Surgery and the Priory Surgery in High Wycombe featured amongst a line up of speakers at the latest High Wycombe Community Board Covid-19 briefing.

Dr Mohammed Safian Younas and Dr Amanda Bartlett addressed the meeting on Friday (5 March) talking about the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in High Wycombe. Despite many people being excited to receive their vaccine, the GPs highlighted the importance of working on solutions to give people confidence in the vaccine and improve its uptake  in particularly vulnerable or at-risk communities. Dr Younas spoke about the work that is going on within local groups in High Wycombe to build trust, improve vaccine access and encourage people to come forward for their vaccine when invited.

As previously, the meeting was attended by members of the High Wycombe Community Board and other interested parties. In addition to the regular community board mailing list, invites were sent to contacts in local black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, faith groups, community groups and churches in the area. Groups were encouraged to share the invite within their own networks to reach out to a wide range of people including residents.

Buckinghamshire’s Director of Public Health, Dr Jane O’Grady also addressed the meeting, giving an update on the latest Covid figures for the local area. Dr O’Grady also spoke about the work the public health team in Buckinghamshire is doing to look at the long-term impact of the pandemic on the health and wellbeing of the local community and the focus for recovery.

Speaking after the meeting Dr Younas said: “It is heartening to see a central collective like the High Wycombe Community Board bringing together credible, grassroot organisations to engage their communities in promoting vaccine uptake.”

Arif Hussain, Chairman of the High Wycombe Community Board said: “These meetings are a great way for people to find out what is happening at a local level to address the pandemic.

“We know that case numbers for Covid within our board area are amongst the highest in Bucks. We want to work with our public health and council colleagues to ensure the right messages are getting out to all our communities so we can all continue to do what needs to be done to protect ourselves and each other.”

To find out more about the High Wycombe Community Board visit: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/improving-your-local-community/high-wycombe-community-board/

Keep up to date on the latest local news and information on Covid-19 on our website: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/