THANKS to the “incredible efforts” of GPs, NHS staff and volunteers, vaccination programmes in Warrington are on target, with everyone in the top four priority groups on schedule to have had their first vaccine by mid-February.
Meanwhile, all care home residents in the area will have had their first vaccine by the end of this week.
NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has today announced that the continued rollout of the GP-led Coronavirus community vaccination programme is progressing well and meeting national targets.
Dr Andrew Davies, Chief Clinical Officer for NHS Halton CCG and NHS Warrington CCG said: “I want to thank everyone who is involved in the delivery of the local vaccination programme. From GPs to volunteers, people have, and are continuing to, go above and beyond to vaccinate our most vulnerable residents.
“These incredible efforts mean we are on track to offer first doses of the vaccine to everyone in Halton and Warrington who is in the top four priority groups by the middle of February.
“Our local NHS staff are doing an incredible job to deliver what it is the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as continuing to be there for everyone who needs care, but we need the public to play their part too. Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine unless you are over 80, we will contact you. When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, so that we can avoid queues in this cold weather. Please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives, even if you have already had your vaccine. “
The local vaccination programme in Halton and Warrington started in December 2020 and is being led by local GP practices working together in partnership supported by NHS Halton CCG and NHS Warrington CCG.
Vaccinations are currently being administered at local community vaccination centres (Widnes Rugby League Stadium and The Brindley Theatre in Halton and Halliwell Jones Stadium and Orford Jubilee Hub in Warrington) as well as at some of our GP practices.
Halton and Warrington patients who are eligible to receive the vaccine are also being invited to mass vaccination centres and pharmacy sites. The closest mass vaccination centre to Halton and Warrington is The Totally Wicked St Helens Rugby League Stadium. If you receive a letter and are invited to book an appointment at one of the mass vaccination centres, you do not have to go there for your vaccine if you do not want to, it is just another option and you can wait and receive your vaccine at your local GP-led service.
Update on progress with the local vaccination programme
The process to administer the first dose of the Coronavirus vaccine to all care home residents in Halton and Warrington began at the end of last year and is set to be completed by the end of the week.
We are continuing to vaccinate all residents over 80. If you or a loved one is over 80 and has still not been contacted about a vaccination appointment, please let your practice know and they will make sure that an appointment slot is arranged for you.
From this week, we will start the process of contacting people over 70 and the clinically extremely vulnerable with appointments to receive their vaccine.
Following recent updated guidance from NHS England, GP practices will be in contact with housebound patients in priority groups in the coming weeks about getting their vaccine.
Clinically trained staff visited St Rocco’s Hospice on 18 January to deliver Coronavirus vaccinations to their staff.
Hospital hubs are continuing to vaccinate patients and frontline health and social care staff.
Some community pharmacies are beginning to offer the vaccine with more set to offer the vaccine in the coming weeks.
Residents can view a list of frequently asked questions about the Coronavirus vaccine at www.haltonwarringtonccg.nhs.uk/covidvaccine
