Warrington residents 65 and over to be offered Covid vaccine

Among the people who fall under these categories are residents and staff in care homes for older adults; all those 80 and over and frontline health and social care workers; all those 75 and over; and all those 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.

Vaccinations in the town started in December with 98-year-old former GP Dr Phillip Leach, and the programme has been steadily building in scale and pace since then.

According to the latest figures, more than 48,000 residents have received their first jab, including 94 per cent of all aged 80 and above.

Of all those aged between 79 and 75 and those between 74 and 60, 94 and 92 per cent have seen their first doses administered.

The percentages of all health and social care workers and those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable that have received their first jabs are 84 and 88 respectively.

Health bosses in Warrington say they are pleased with the progress on vaccination so far, and attention is turning to how to get in touch with those who have yet to have a vaccine and are in the top four categories.

Attempts will be made to get in touch with them again to offer than a jab, while people in the over 65 categories are also now in the process of being contacted.

So are patients aged between 16 and 64 who are classed as vulnerable to Covid-19, therefore in terms of cohorts, this means that cohorts one to six are now open.

The progress of the vaccination programme in Warrington is mirrored across the north west region, as more than 1.7 million people have now had their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Regional vaccination lead Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu said: “It is a great testament to the commitment of colleagues that 15 million across the UK have had their first dose.

“It is also great news that we have vaccinated the majority of people aged 70 and over, along with health and care staff.

Village Hotel in Centre Park is now a coronavirus vaccination centre

“This has been a real joint effort across the north west, and it is clear that people are aware of how important the vaccination programme is to staying safe and helping us defeat this virus.”

Ahead of the Prime Minister’s ‘roadmap’ for breaking out of lockdown, which is due to be delivered on Monday, bosses at Warrington Borough Council are preparing for any relaxation of lockdown.

Schools are already making plans for any reopening, with March 8 being widely assumed as the date by which many pupils will return.

It is still to be decided if all pupils would go back on that day, some year groups, or just primary schools, but head teachers in Warrington are already busy making plans.

The council will also monitor any decision on the reopening of non-essential retail.

Despite this positive progress however, residents are being urged not to let their guard down now by continuing to stay at home as much as possible and following the ‘hands, face, space’ rule when in public places.