One million people across region receive first Covid vaccine
More than one million people across the region have now received their first Covid vaccine.
The latest NHS figures show 1,002,079 people across the Black Country, West Birmingham and Staffordshire have had at least one dose. This is an increase of 96,998 in the last week.
More than 90 per cent of people aged 60 and over across Staffordshire have received at least one dose, and over 87 per cent in the Black Country and West Birmingham. And more than 59 per cent of people in the age 55 to 59 group across the region have had a vaccine, less than two weeks after they were called up.
The news has been welcomed by Dr Lisa McNally, Sandwell’s director of public health, who urged people to take up the opportunity.
She said: "Sandwell already has a vaccination take-up rate of around 88 per cent for people aged 60 and over. Among those 70 years and over it’s well above 90 per cent.
“This is a fantastic response and we would urge anyone who’s been offered the vaccine but hasn’t yet taken up the opportunity to book their jab as soon as they can."
Critical
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Council has been working with GP practices across the city through its call centre to contact eligible patients who have not yet had their jab.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "Around nine out of 10 eligible people in the city have now had the first dose of the vaccine, so the rollout is going incredibly well.
"However, it remains critical that everyone who is eligible has their vaccine, particularly as we see restrictions being eased and people begin to mix more, which will very likely increase the risk of transmission."
It comes as it was revealed there is expected to be a significant reduction in weekly supply of the Covid-19 vaccines from the end of March due to a delivery of five million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India being held up by four weeks.
Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party, spoke with staff from the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust then told the Express & Star the hospital CEO had raised concerns.
She said: "This is deeply concerning, but I think the problem is here is the Government's ability to communicate. We've heard concerns around the vaccine and the Government has failed to communicate and tackle those rumours and concerns.
"People are concerned and are asking 'What does this mean?' – they have failed to communicate effectively throughout this pandemic and it's been a real problem.
"We've seen that at Christmas it was left up to individuals and that's completely unacceptable and they need to explain what's happening. The chief executive [David Loughton] was raising concerns about this and it's because he didn't know because the communication isn't there.
"I can't say if they will have them or not and it's concerning, but they need to be more communicative – there's been mixed messages. Information is not being delivered effectively to the public and it's a failure of the Government."
