Residents in Cheshire East have started to receive the Oxford Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccination as GP-led services rolled out in ten locations last week.
Initially focusing on protecting those at highest risk, services started to go live last week, continuing through to this week, in:
- Wilmslow
- Congleton
- Knutsford
- Macclesfield
- Poynton
- Crewe (x 2 locations)
- Nantwich
- Middlewich
- Alsager
A small number of pharmacy-led sites have also been identified across Cheshire East that could support GP-led services where required, to ensure that residents are vaccinated as quickly as possible.
Further to the hospital-based service which started vaccinating at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on Tuesday 8 December 2020, vaccinations also started at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on Monday 28 December and at East Cheshire NHS Trust last Wednesday.
The mayor of Cheshire East, 81-year-old Councillor Barry Burkhill, had his vaccine this weekend at Wilmslow Health Centre. Barry said: “It was a well-oiled machine of organisation with many nurses and doctors administering the injections in different sections of the health centre.
“It is so important for everyone who receives either a phone call or letter from the NHS inviting them to attend for their jab, to accept and gain the protection from this vicious virus. It not only protects you but also helps to eventually stop the spread to others. I would urge everyone to have their vaccine jab when it is offered. It only takes a few minutes and is almost painless.”
NHS organisations have started vaccinating frontline health and care workers such as nurses, doctors and social workers. The programme is to be expanded in the coming weeks to ensure that the majority of care home staff and residents are protected.
Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “It’s vitally important that Cheshire East residents attend their appointment and start to get protection against this deadly virus. Like the rest of the country, we’ve had to wait in line for the vaccine and be patient as the country’s biggest vaccination programme to date is rolled out.
“I’m delighted that it’s now full steam ahead for Cheshire East with ten GP practices rolling the vaccination programme out, in addition to Macclesfield District General Hospital and a number of pharmacies across the area.”
Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I know that there is great anticipation among residents, with many keen to receive the vaccine, so that we may all start to return to a more normal way of life as soon as possible.
“It’s important that residents wait to receive their invitation to have the vaccine, there is no need to contact the NHS or your local GP – you will automatically get your appointment as soon as possible, depending on what priority group you are in.
“In the meantime, we must all remember the importance of good hand hygiene, wearing a face covering where appropriate and keeping a distance from others when leaving home to shop for essentials or taking daily exercise.”
You can help the NHS deliver the Covid-19 vaccination programme effectively by following this simple guidance:
- People in the priority groups will be contacted when it’s their turn to receive the vaccine. Please do not contact the NHS to seek a vaccine before then;
- When you are invited for a vaccine, please act on your invite and make sure you attend appointments when you arrange them; and
- Please continue to wear a face covering and abide by social distancing and hand hygiene guidance as, until the vaccine has been fully rolled out, this is the most effective way to save lives.
Alongside delivering a Covid-19 vaccine, GP practices across Cheshire will continue to offer routine appointments to those that need them.
If you are in any doubt about which local health service you need, contact NHS 111 first – either by dialling 111 or going online at: 111.nhs.uk
Residents can help friends and neighbours, who do not have internet access, by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.
For more advice and information, follow the council’s social media channels. Visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/cheshireeastcouncil and at Twitter at: @CheshireEast
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