Over 97,000 Covid-19 jabs given in city

Over 97,000 life-saving Covid-19 jabs have now been given in Wolverhampton – an increase of nearly 10,000 in just seven days.

Latest figures show a total of 97,286 vaccinations have been delivered in the city so far, with 91,773 people having received the first of their two doses and 5,513 patients having had both.

Vaccinations are currently available to anyone aged 50 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 whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Nearly 10,000 more Covid-19 vaccinations have been delivered in Wolverhampton in the last seven days, and now close to 92,000 people have now had at least one dose. This is a fantastic achievement for all concerned.
"We are seeing more and more evidence about the effectiveness of the vaccines in protecting people from, and reducing the transmission of, this deadly virus – particularly after people have received both doses of the vaccine.

"It's likely that the easing of restrictions as we leave the Covid-19 lockdown in the weeks ahead will lead to an increase in infection rates so now, more than ever, is the time to get your jab if you are eligible for it.”

Professor David Loughton CBE, Chief Executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “It is incredibly important that all those who are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine book their appointment at the earliest opportunity, as this is your best chance at protection from life-threatening illness. 

“As healthcare experts, the vaccinators are available to discuss all concerns and allay any fears, so please do ask questions and have those important conversations before believing everything that is shared online. Please do your bit to share accurate information about the vaccine, which can be accessed on the NHS and council websites.”

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.

Councillor Jaspal added: “Please remember that, even after you have had your jab, you must continue to follow Government 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 of Covid-19 or a rapid test if you don't."

Latest figures show there were 63 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the seven days to 15 March. That means 166 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.

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. Further details of the lockdown restrictions currently in place, and the answers to frequently asked questions, are available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert.