Black Country areas among lowest in the country for second Covid jab rates
People have been urged to come forward for the Covid vaccine after it emerged parts of the region have some of the lowest second dose take-up rates in the country.
According to new NHS figures the four Black Country boroughs all have take-up rates for the second dose of the vaccine that are below the national average of 80 per cent.
In Sandwell and Wolverhampton more than a third of people aged 16 and over have not yet received a second dose, while in Birmingham just 57 per cent of people are double jabbed, prompting concerns from heath officials and MPs.
The issue was raised in the Commons by Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth, who called on ministers to do more to boost vaccines in parts of the country with "relatively low" uptake, including Wolverhampton.
In Wolverhampton 73 per cent of people aged 16 and over have had their first dose, with the rate for second doses at 65.6 per cent.
Sandwell's rates for first and second doses are 73.2 per cent and 65.2 per cent respectively. In Walsall 79.4 per cent of people have had their first dose, with 72 per cent having both doses, and in Dudley 77 per cent of people are double-jabbed.
Across Staffordshire 80.1 per cent of people have received both doses.
Sally Roberts, chief nursing officer for Black Country and West Birmingham CCG and local vaccination programme lead, said: “In all areas across the Black Country and West Birmingham we are seeing people come forward to get their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at 8 weeks.
"While the first dose provides a good level of protection from the harmful effects of the virus, the second dose is crucial to giving you the maximum benefit so we’re strongly urging people to come forward at eight weeks and receive it.
"Our offer of a vaccine is evergreen; and I strongly encourage anyone who hasn’t had their first dose to come forward. You’ll be helping to keep those you love safe from the very first dose, but it’s also important you have your second vaccination and to know that you are fully protected.”
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for public health, said: “We are working closely with the NHS and local GPs to encourage everyone to have their Covid-19 vaccinations, and to make it as easy as possible for them through walk-in vaccination clinics and the vaccine bus.
“If you haven’t had your second dose of the life-saving vaccine yet, it is important to do so as soon as you can, eight weeks after the first dose, in order to have the best protection from serious illness caused by the virus.”
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Ashworth called for extra support for areas with "relatively low" vaccine take up, such as Bradford, Leicester and Wolverhampton.
