Over 160,000 adults in city receive at least one life-saving jab

Well over 160,000 adults in Wolverhampton have now received at least one life-saving Covid-19 jab.

Latest figures show a total of 161,671 first doses have been delivered since the start of the vaccination programme, with 122,850 residents now having maximum protection from the deadly virus after getting both doses.

In total, 284,521 vaccinations have been given, and 92.67% of over 80s in Wolverhampton have had at least one jab, rising to 94% of people aged 75-79. Some 93.3% of 70-74-year-olds, 90% of 65-69-year-olds, 86.7% of 60-64-year-olds, 83.3% of 55-59-year-olds and 81% of people aged 50-54 have now had a jab.

Among younger cohorts, 72.3% of 40-49-year-olds have had at least one jab, as have 56.7% of 30-39-year-olds and 46.9% of 18-29-year-olds.

All adults in Wolverhampton are eligible for the free vaccine. To book, please visit www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or call NHS 119. In addition, first and second jabs are available without an appointment at the vaccine bus which is at Molineux Stadium from 11am to 6pm until Sunday and at other walk-in clinics including those at Aldersley Leisure Village and in Wednesfield, Whitmore Reans and Bilston. For full details, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/local-vaccine.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “More and more people are getting themselves protected against this deadly virus, which is even more important given that infection rates are continuing to rise in Wolverhampton and elsewhere.

“If you haven’t already had your first jab, or you are now due your second, please get it as soon as possible – and remember that to fully benefit from the maximum protection that the vaccines offer, you must have both doses.”

She added: “Your vaccine protects you against serious illness caused by Covid-19, but you could still pass the virus on to other people. That’s why it’s important to continue to follow the Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air guidance and to get a free rapid Covid-19 test twice a week to reassure yourself and others that you don’t have the virus.”

Latest figures show there were 205.4 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the seven days to 6 July. That means 540 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that seven day period – though the true number of new cases will likely be higher.

Further details about the Covid-19 measures currently in place, plus frequently asked questions and answers, are available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert.

For details of rapid testing, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/get-tested. 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.