Praise for successful Covid vaccine rates in Lancashire

Figures revealed the successful trajectory of the region's Covid vaccination rates, as the Government looks set to meet its target of giving first doses of the jab to priority groups before next week.
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As of February 7, some 374,088 people in Lancashire and South Cumbria had received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, up from 284,913 people on January 31.

Of those, 287,039 were under the age of 80, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

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In those aged 80 and above, 87,049 have now received their first dose of the vaccine, equating to 94.1 per cent of the over-80s population in the region.

As of February 7, some 374,088 people in Lancashire and South Cumbria had received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.As of February 7, some 374,088 people in Lancashire and South Cumbria had received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
As of February 7, some 374,088 people in Lancashire and South Cumbria had received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The figures cover people vaccinated in the Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System area ­– a collaboration between local NHS services and councils aimed at improving health care.

The rollout in Lancashire has been praised by MPs and health bosses, who also urged eligible patients who were still waiting for their vaccine to book an appointment.

Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, was pleased with the progress of the vaccine rollout locally, but also urged those over 70 or on the shielding list to book their jab appointment if they are still waiting.

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"We continue to make good progress, but whilst there remain some of the most vulnerable age groups out there who have not yet been vaccinated, we must try and reassure them if they have concerns, and encourage people to call 119 for a vaccine appointment if they are in the over 70 age groups and have not yet been contacted," Mr Maynard said.

His counterpart in Blackpool South, Scott Benton, said the rollout of the Covid vaccines had been "remarkable," and also urged those aged above 70 or vulnerable to book an appointment if needed.

Fylde MP, Mark Menzies, said: “I’ve been delighted with the roll out of the vaccination programme in Fylde and visited Lytham Primary Care Centre to see the process in action.

“There are people in their 60s now being vaccinated, well ahead of the target date of having all over 70s vaccinated by February 15.

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“This vaccination programme is a success, thanks to the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, blue light workers, Army and volunteers – as well as the significant amount of funding from Government.”

Jane Scattergood, Covid-19 vaccination director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, added: “The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history continues to make significant progress, in Lancashire and South Cumbria we have now vaccinated over 374,000 people thanks to the tireless efforts of my colleagues.

“We are on track to meet our goal of offering everyone in the top four priority groups a jab. But if you are aged 70 and over, and haven’t yet received your vaccine, please come forward and make an appointment as soon as you can. The vaccine is safe, simple, and will offer you and those around you crucial protection against this virus.

“The rollout of the vaccine involves a wide range of organisations working together. We are hugely grateful for the significant support given to the NHS to help the NHS deliver the Covid-19 vaccination programme from our wider partners including Cumbria County Council, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council, our district councils, the military, police, local businesses and many more.”

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Meanwhile, Dr Jim Gardner, medical director at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and Clifton Hospital in St Annes, said yesterday that Blackpool Vic has given 14,000 patients their first Covid vaccine, with teams now visiting wards to ensure eligible patients are offered the vaccine before they are discharged.

All care homes on the Fylde coast have been visited by community teams, and any residents unable to have the jab the first time are being offered theirs again, Dr Gardner added.

Anyone aged 70 or over, or clinically extremely vulnerable patients, can book a Covid vaccine by calling 119, arranging through a GP practice, or booking online through the NHS.

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