120k people have now had at least one Covid-19 jab in city

Thousands more people have had their life-saving Covid-19 jab in Wolverhampton, with increasing numbers receiving both doses.

Latest figures show that, as of 18 April, a total of 120,674 first doses have been administered in Wolverhampton, with tens of thousands of people having already returned for their second jab.

Meanwhile, across the Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group area, a total of 623,782 first and 180,151 second doses have now been given, up from 610,908 first and 133,244 second doses a week ago.

People aged 45 and over, anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, frontline health and social care workers and people who are in receipt of Carer's Allowance or are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person are now eligible for the free vaccine.

Anyone in the above groups who has not yet had their first Covid-19 jab is asked to do so as a matter of urgency. People are also reminded of the need to get their second dose when it is their time so that they are given the maximum protection against the deadly virus.

John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “The vaccine is the best protection we have against coronavirus.

“Over 120,000 people in Wolverhampton have now had at least one dose, and more and more people have had both. This is particularly important, as the second vaccine acts as a booster, enhancing immunity and offering longer-lasting protection against infection.

"We know that the easing of restrictions as we leave the Covid-19 lockdown is likely to lead to an increase in infection rates. We’ve also seen that infection rates are rising rapidly in other parts of the world, such as India, which just goes to show that we cannot afford to let our guard down.

“Therefore, the message is clear – if you are eligible and haven’t already had your jab, please book an appointment as soon as possible.”

For more information about the vaccine, including the answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/vaccine or www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. People will need to register with a GP surgery in England in order to receive the vaccine. For more details, please visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps.

John added: “Please remember that even once you have had both doses of the vaccine, you must still continue to adhere to the measures in place to stop the spread of Covid-19, and follow the Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air guidance. Please also make sure you have a regular Covid-19 rapid test.”

For details of rapid testing for people without symptoms of Covid-19, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-testing. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, which include a fever, a new continuous cough or a change to the sense of taste or smell, must immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119.

The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus, which includes information in a wide range of languges and guidance around staying safe during Ramadan. Further details of the restrictions currently in place, and the answers to frequently asked questions, are available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert.