Vaccination update
A report published today (21 January 2021) by NHS England on the number of COVID-19 vaccinations provided in England shows 14,031 people aged 80 and over have received their first vaccination dose in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
This represents 49% of the population aged 80 and over in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin who have received their first vaccination dose.
Nationally, 59.4% of people aged 80 and over received their first vaccination dose, with some areas recording rates as high as 85% in Gloucestershire.
Council Leader Shaun Davies says: “The report published today by NHS England shows what we have known for quite some time.
“The vaccination programme has been slow in getting underway here in Telford and Wrekin compared to other areas of the country.
"Based on the latest ONS (Office for National Statistics) population estimate, there are around 7,300 people aged 80 and over in Telford and Wrekin.
"From additional information that I have received, around 35 % of our residents aged 80 and over in our borough have had their first vaccination dose to date.
“This is unfair and is causing a huge amount of concern and worry for our residents.
“However, the good news is that the vaccination programme is going to get underway at huge scale at Telford International Centre, thanks to the help of Telford & Wrekin Council and our partners within the NHS.
“So, while we have been waiting, it is going to be worth the wait.”
Since the national vaccination rollout started in mid December, borough residents aged 80 and above, as well as care home residents and workers, and frontline health and care workers are gradually receiving the Covid-19 vaccination in line with the national priority group criteria.
Two primary care networks (groups of GP practices) across Telford & Wrekin as well as Woodside pharmacy vaccination service are currently delivering the vaccine in the borough.
More local vaccine services provided by GPs and pharmacists, in people’s homes for those who are housebound and a new dedicated large vaccination centre at Telford international Centre are due to be rollout, to make sure that everyone in the borough who needs a vaccine is able to get one.
For more information about vaccination rollout, please go to https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-vaccination-programme
