Nearly 175,000 life-saving Covid-19 jabs delivered in city

Nearly 175,000 Covid-19 jabs have now been given in Wolverhampton, latest figures show.

Some 129,362 people have so far received their first dose of the life-saving jab, and 45,392 are now fully vaccinated after having both.

People aged 42 and over, or who turn 42 by 1 July, anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, people with learning disabilities, 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 booked their first Covid-19 jab should do so as a matter of urgency through the national booking website, www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine. People are also reminded 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.

“Nearly 130,000 people in Wolverhampton have now had at least one dose, and over 45,000 have had both. This is particularly important, as the second vaccine acts as a booster, enhancing immunity and offering longer-lasting protection against infection.

"New evidence also suggests that a single dose of the vaccine can cut transmission to others by up to half. So by getting your jab, you are not only helping to protect yourself, but also your family and the wider community.

"While infection rates are comparatively low, as we leave lockdown there is the chance that they could increase. And we have all no doubt seen the awful images coming out of India which show all too graphically just what can happen when Covid-19 spreads unchecked – so we cannot afford to let our guard down.

"Therefore please remember to get your Covid-19 vaccine as soon as you are able to. Please also remember that, even after you have had your jab, you should get a regular rapid Covid-19 test to reassure yourself that you don't have the virus and must continue to follow the Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air guidance – wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering, stay two metres from people you don't live with and spend more time outdoors."

The most recent figures include a dedicated pop up vaccination clinic, held recently at the Good Shepherd Ministry, where 154 homeless people had their vaccine. Many of these were people having their second doses following an earlier clinic in February. Alongside this, Wolverhampton’s Community Champions have been visiting people at home to offer them information and support to book their jabs at nearby community-based pop-up clinics.

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.

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.