COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for people who are housebound
If you are housebound and eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccination, you will be contacted soon about an appointment. Healthcare teams have been vaccinating residents of care homes across Sussex and are now beginning to vaccinate residents who cannot leave their homes. You will be contacted by phone or letter to arrange an appointment and do not need to contact your GP surgery. This may be a vaccination team working on our behalf but please be assured that they have your details and they will contact you as soon as possible.
If you are not housebound but you are eligible for your vaccination, please visit the National Booking Service to arrange an appointment either online or by calling 119 – or by responding to a local invite via text or letter.
For further information about the COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme, please visit: Covid-19 and flu vaccinations – Sussex Health & Care (ics.nhs.uk)
Frequently asked questions
Who is classed as a housebound patient?
A patient is deemed to be housebound when they are unable to leave their home environment through physical and/or psychological illness. An individual will not be eligible for a home visit if they are able to leave their home environment on their own or with minimal assistance to visit public or social recreational public services (including shopping).
Who will be delivering the vaccines to those who are housebound?
‘Roving vaccination teams’ will be delivering the service to those who are housebound in Sussex and those who are care home residents. The ‘roving team’ are made up of healthcare staff.
Do you have to book an appointment to receive this service?
Those who are housebound will have been identified by patient notes. Your details have been provided to the local vaccination team and you will be contacted to arrange an appointment. They will liaise with you about the best day and time, and book an appointment.
What if I am housebound and I have not had been contacted?
If you have not been contacted by the end of November, please contact the vaccine enquiries team by email sxicb.vaccineenquiries@nhs.net or call the vaccine enquiry phone line: 0300 140 9854 (open 9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday).
Note that the vaccine enquiries team cannot book a vaccination appointment for you but will be able to point you in the right direction or pass your details on to the local booking service.
When will housebound vaccinations take place?
Vaccinations are happening now. Those who are eligible will be contacted in the next few weeks.