The latest figures show 199,675 vaccinations have been given in north Cumbria since the programme started in December.
Figures published by NHS England today show that at least one dose has been given in the following age groups:
- 76.6% of 50-54 year olds
- 87.8% of 55-59 year olds
- 95.5% 60-64 year olds
Teams are making progress with delivering the second dose. The latest figures show that 12,138 of our over 80s have now had their second dose (19,293 have had their first).
Ed Tallis, director of primary care for NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“This has been a huge effort by everyone across primary care and our hospital hubs. We now have three community pharmacies and the Penrith Auction Mart Vaccination Centre has also helped increase the bookable opportunities.
“We know for our geography it is important to have a range of opportunities so we now have 15 centres across north Cumbria regularly offering vaccines, as well as localised clinics in GP Practices too. Administering 200,000 vaccinations in little over three and a half months is a phenomenal achievement.”
This breaks down further to:
• 135,802 people over 50 have had their first vaccine
• 24,154 people over 50 have had their second vaccine
• 32,999 people under 50 have had their first vaccine
• 6,720 people under 50 have had their second vaccine
Our two hospital hubs – at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle - have been mainly vaccinating frontline health and social care staff and have completed more than 30,000 vaccines.
This huge team effort by staff at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust including pharmacy, occupational health, digital health, nursing and immunisation teams have worked together to help administer the vaccine to thousands of health and care staff across the county.
“So far nearly 31,000 vaccines have been administered to Trust staff and partners including care homes, North West Ambulance Service, CHOC, hospice, and social care staff. We are also grateful to the vaccinators from NWAS who supported the Trust in the roll-out. Almost all of our staff at the Trust have now taken up the vaccine.
“I’m extremely proud of the team work that has gone into delivering the vaccine to our staff and partners, it has been a huge and complex effort which will help ensure that we are able to keep delivering our services to those who are often the most vulnerable in our society.
“I would urge everyone to take up the vaccine when they are offered it, this is currently the best way to protect ourselves from this virus which has affected so many in our communities.”
Mark Stakim, chair of Community Pharmacy Cumbria, said:
“We have three community pharmacies across north Cumbria which can be booked through the National Booking Service by those that receive the letters. We’ve had great feedback from people who have found the service to be really positive. It’s helping to widen the opportunities for people to be able to get their vaccine. We are keen to have more pharmacies come online soon due to public demand.”
The programme is focusing on those identified by the Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) Cohorts 1-9 – those aged over 50 or with underlying health conditions. Some younger people may have been called to make use of vaccines at the end of sessions to ensure vaccine isn’t wasted.
How do I get my covid vaccine? Info about local GPs calling patients and the National Booking Service
There are two ways to get your covid vaccine.
• Your GP will invite you for the vaccine
• You will receive a letter from the National Booking Service and you will be able to book at a community pharmacy or a Large Vaccination Centre
1) Our Primary Care Networks – groups of GPs working together – call their patients when they receive supplies of the vaccine and can book people in. 2
You can wait to be called locally, your practice will be in touch when it is your turn.
2) The National Booking Service is also sending invite letters to people when their cohort becomes eligible. This letter offers bookable opportunities. In north Cumbria there are four bookable community pharmacies or centres:
• Boots in Carlisle
• Pharmacy2U at Dunmail Park in Whitehaven
• Seacliffe Pharmacy in Kells, Whitehaven
• Penrith Auction Mart Vaccination Centre.
You can book into this service when you get a letter from the National Booking Service. But you do not have to take up this option – you can wait to be called by your Practice. You don’t have to do anything.
Please note - centres only show on the National Booking Service when there are slots available. If you can’t see the centre you are looking for it is advisable to try again later on. Slots are regularly added into the system. You may be offered slots further afield.
If you are booked in for a vaccine and then take up a more convenient appointment you MUST cancel your original appointment so it can be offered to other people.
What if I have refused the vaccine – will I get another chance?
You will be called again by your Practice or you can contact them. You will be booked in if you have changed your mind.
Why do I need to keep following the guidelines after I have had my vaccine?
Keep following the hands, face and space guidance after you've had your vaccination. This is to make sure that while you have protection, you don’t pass covid on to other people. The government will let us know when we can start to relax how we follow the rules. For now we must do all we can to look after each other and help reduce the spread of covid.
I am under 50 - when will I be called?
Some under 50s may have been called in for their vaccine to ensure no vaccines are wasted at the end of sessions. Nationally we expect the next cohort (those 40-49) to start being called towards the end of April.