Oxford vaccine rolled out at Staffordshire-based JCB
Patients calling at the home of Staffordshire's yellow diggers will be among the first to receive the new Oxford AstraZeneca Covid vaccination at GP-led clinics.
JCB's Compact Products at Cheadle is being used to vaccinate vulnerable patients aged 80 and over from across the rural Staffordshire Moorlands.
Up until now the clinic, run by Moorlands Rural Primary Care Network (PCN), has been using the Pfizer vaccine.
Jessica Harding, of Well Street Medical Centre in Cheadle, said: "This is a really exciting development and we have really been anticipating the arrival of the Oxford vaccine.
“Our team has been working hard in anticipation of the Oxford vaccine arrival. Since starting our vaccination programme before Christmas, the co-operation and support from JCB has been fantastic, staff morale remains high and feedback from patients has been really positive.
“We are continuing to concentrate on our care home patients and patients aged over 80 who we know are the most vulnerable and ask that patients do not contact their GP practice to book an appointment, as we are contacting patients directly.”
'Hugely important'
Dr Paddy Hannigan, clinical lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme said: “This is more excellent news. The Oxford vaccine will help us get more people protected more quickly and we soon expect to have all PCNs in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent actively vaccinating.
“In the meantime, it is essential that people make themselves familiar with the latest lockdown rules and take their advice on Covid from official NHS sources.”
JCB’s company doctor Jonathan Graham said: “As the biggest employer in the Staffordshire Moorlands we are delighted to help local GPs deliver such a hugely important vaccination programme. This latest development with the Oxford vaccine is very welcome news and will give additional impetus to the vaccination roll-out.
"We are delighted JCB is able to play a role in helping protect people in a community which has been our home for 75 years.”
The Moorlands PCN is one of 12 across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent who have received the new vaccine today along with the About Better Care (North Staffs), Burntwood, Hanley Bucknall and Bentilee, Leek and Biddulph, Longton, Newcastle North, Newcastle South, Rugeley and Great Haywood, Shelton, South West Stoke and Whitfield PCNs.
