I am delighted to learn that already in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, our NHS has vaccinated over 100,000 people, as part of plans to vaccinate the top 4 priority groups by mid-February.
More than 5 million doses have been administered to over 4.6 million people across the United Kingdom and the Government’s Vaccines Delivery Plan sets out how it aims to offer vaccines to every elderly care home resident by the end of the month. So far, more than half of those over 80s and care home residents have received a vaccine.
On top of this, the Government is opening up new vaccination sites every day to ensure everyone is within 10 miles of a vaccination centre.
I have received many emails and letters regarding the rollout of the vaccine from your concerns about prioritising pharmacy staff and other workers to businesses wanting to become vaccination centres. I have regular calls with senior health officials and the local vaccination rollout team and make sure they are aware of all the points you raise.
Despite the good news about vaccines and the progress on getting the most at risk vaccinated, the Royal Stoke hospital is close to capacity, so it is really important to follow the rules. This includes people who have received their vaccination, or have had the virus as although the vaccination will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill, clinicians do not yet know whether it will stop you from passing the virus on to others.
Local councils are also calling for all workers who can’t work from home to book a regular COVID test – as part of the rollout of mass testing of people without symptoms. There is a Community Testing Centre at Biddulph Leisure Centre and pop up centres in Werrington and Caverswall. Please see https://staffordshire.zipporah.co.uk/TrackAndTrace/ to book.
