'No-one' will be forgotten in Staffordshire Covid-19 vaccination efforts, say health chiefs
Health chiefs have said "no-one will be forgotten" in the race to vaccinate people in Staffordshire from Covid-19.
Dr Paddy Hannigan said there was "good reasons" why it has taken longer to vaccinate some people rather than others.
It comes amid concerns patients aged over 70 and other at risk groups have been invited to be vaccinated – despite all over 80s not yet being protected.
Dr Hannigan, clinical lead for the vaccination programme, said: "Absolutely no-one will be forgotten. But there are good reasons why it has taken longer to vaccinate some people rather than others.
"The priority has been to vaccinate the largest number of people in the shortest practical time. That can be achieved best at our network of over 23 GP-led centres and other centres in the community but that requires patients to be able to travel to us.
"We have made great progress in these centres. We have also offered vaccine to every one of the 330 care homes in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and have vaccinated in the vast majority.
"We are reaching those patients who live in their own homes but find it difficult or impossible to leave home. This means “roving” vaccination teams making a separate journey for each single vaccination delivered.
"It’s more complex and takes far longer for each patient, but it’s important work and we are making progress."
An extra reason why vaccination in community vaccination centres was prioritised is vaccine availability.
Dr Hannigan added: “The first vaccine to become available was that made by Pfizer. It is more challenging to administer for a variety of reasons.
"The Oxford vaccine from AstraZenica reached us at a later date but is now reaching us in larger quantities.
“No-one has been forgotten. We are reaching them, and overcoming the extra practical challenges involved.
"In the meantime we all need to concentrate on following the national lockdown regulations, stay at home and take Covid advice from official NHS sources."
