More than 63,000 in city have their first Covid-19 jab

Over 63,000 people in Wolverhampton have now had their first life-saving Covid-19 jab, latest figures show.

Vaccinations are currently available to anyone aged 64 or over; anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable; frontline health and social care workers; people who are in receipt of Carer's Allowance and anyone who is the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.

It will be rolled out to further priority groups in the coming weeks and the NHS will contact people as and when they become eligible for their jab. For details of the priority list, please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health John Denley said: "It's wonderful news that over 63,000 people have already received their first Covid-19 vaccination here in Wolverhampton.

"Uptake is really high across most eligible groups, and I would like to thank everyone who has come forward when they have been invited to do so.

“We do have some hesitancy in some communities, and we continue to work with NHS colleagues and trusted community voices to engage directly with those who, for whatever reason, are unsure about getting this life-saving jab.

“My message is clear; the vaccine is safe and it is the best possible protection that people can have from this deadly virus, so if you have already asked to come for your jab, please do so as soon as you are able to."

The City of Wolverhampton Council is supporting the NHS in encouraging people to get the vaccine, helping those who are currently eligible for their jab to book their appointment and contacting those who, for whatever reason, have not yet taken up their invitation.

John added: "Please remember that, even if you have had the vaccination, you must continue to follow Government restrictions and guidance. Keep your distance from others, wear a face covering, wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly and get a PCR test if you have symptoms or a rapid test if you don't."

For more information about the vaccine, including the answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/vaccine.

People will need to registered with a GP surgery in England in order to receive the vaccine. For more details, please visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps.

Latest figures show there were 165.9 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the seven days to 22 February. That means 436 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that seven day period – though the true number of new cases will likely be considerably higher.

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. Information about the vaccine can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidvaccine. Further details of the lockdown restrictions currently in place, and the answers to frequently asked questions, are available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert.