900,000 vaccine jabs administered in region
More than 900,000 coronavirus vaccinations have been administered in the Black Country and Staffordshire, new figures show.
It comes as the region is on track to have vaccinated the top nine priority groups by mid-April.
And it has raised hopes that those in the 50 to 54 age bracket could be called up as soon as next week. Those aged 55 and above started to receive their letters for vaccination last weekend.
Figures from NHS England show that the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) had administered 439,397 first does to people – while the Black Country and West Birmingham CCGs have given out 437,325 vaccinations.
While 20,786 second doses have been administered in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and 17,573 in the Black Country and West Birmingham.
Around 97 per cent of people aged 60 and over in Stafford have received the first dose, as well as 94.7 per cent in Cannock Chase, 94.1 per cent in South Staffordshire and 93.9 per cent in Lichfield.
While in the Black Country, the percentages sit at 91.1 in Dudley, 90.2 in Walsall, 88.5 in Sandwell and 87.8 in Wolverhampton.
It comes after health bosses in nearby Shropshire revealed that over 50s are expected to receive their invites to get their Covid jab from next week.
The national booking service has also begun to trial a text message service for Covid-19 vaccine invitations and reminders – with people aged 55 or in receipt of carer’s allowance the first to receive invites this week.
Sally Roberts, senior responsible officer for the local vaccination programme, said: “I would like to encourage everyone aged 55 and over, those who are clinically vulnerable, carers and frontline health and social care workers to book your vaccine if you haven’t already done so.
Progress
"You can do this by calling 119 or visiting the national booking service website.
“For those people who have not yet accepted an invite, my message is you will not be left behind, the vaccine is safe and it is the best protection from this terrible virus.
"If we have already asked you to come for your vaccine, when you are ready contact us right away.”
Dr Lisa McNally, Sandwell’s director of public health, said: “Taken separately, around 92 per cent of Sandwell’s over 70s have had their first vaccine, as well as 88 per cent of those aged 65 to 69.
"We’re also making great progress in the 60 to 64 group, of which 67 per cent have already had their jab.”
A spokesman for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CCGs said: “Official figures released show over 460,000 people vaccinated in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent with the area on-target to reach the top nine priority groups by April 15.”
It comes as a new large Covid vaccination centre is set to open its doors in the former TJ Hughes shop in Walsall on Monday. The centre, located in Saddlers Shopping Centre.
