Coronavirus vaccinations start at care homes across Black Country and Staffordshire

The service went live in the Black Country on Wednesday – with vaccines administered at Wolverhampton care homes Newlyn Court Nursing Home and Belvidere Court Nursing Home in Bilston.

On Christmas Eve, residents at Lime Tree Court received their vaccine.

The Covid-19 vaccination is given in two doses, at least 21 days apart.

Care home residents and staff are being prioritised, along with people aged 80 and over, in the first phase of the vaccination programme. Injections started at GP surgeries and hospitals in the region earlier this month.

Dr Raj Mohindroo, vaccinating GP on Thursday, said: "

I feel privileged to be administering the vaccine today to some of the city’s most at-risk residents, ensuring they are protected from coronavirus.

“I am looking forward to coming back in 21 days to administer the second vaccine, as it’s vital that once everybody has had their first jab, that they have a follow up appointment for the second.”

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Vaccination services are primary care based and led by GPs. They will offer the vaccine to patients within their Primary Care Networks group from one nominated practice site and some of the larger care homes within their area.

Meanhile in Staffordshire, residents living in two care homes in Stoke-on-Trent were given their first dose of the vaccination on Wednesday. Around 150 highly-vulnerable residents at Adderley Green Care Home and Westfield Lodge Care Home received the jab. The work was carried out by the Meir Primary Care Network, which represents GP surgeries in the area.

Dr Paddy Hannigan, clinical lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Staffordshire, said: “Last week we began vaccinating patients aged over 80 in GP-led centres, and the number of vaccination sites has increased this week.

“That was a real landmark, but requires our patients to be mobile and independent enough to get to the centres to be vaccinated. Reaching residents who cannot leave their place of residence is an extra challenge and it is significant that we have now started to do this.

“While this is hugely welcome news I would remind everyone that we are still at a very early stage of the programme. We are facing increased cases and it is more important than ever to follow Tier 3 guidelines."

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups and care home residents when it is their turn to receive the vaccine – and people are urged not to contact the NHS directly.

John Denley, director of public health at Wolverhampton Council, said: "Vaccination is only one step in the fight against coronavirus and we all still need to remain vigilant and follow the local Covid alert level restrictions.

“We will continue to support the standing up of more vaccination services over the coming weeks to ensure that all our communities have access to the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Vaccination centres treating large numbers of patients will subsequently stand up when further supplies of the vaccine become available, we will confirm these sites when we are able to do so.

“In the meantime, it's incredibly important that people continue to do everything they can to stop the spread of the virus. This means continuing to follow the hands, face, space guidance and adhering to the Tier 3 restrictions which are currently in place.”