Make it your job to have jab to give us light in dark time

WHEN will this torture come to an end? Everyone wants to know when we can finally re-emerge from the Covid lockdown hell and get on with our lives.

Thankfully, despite the continued flow of grim death statistics, there are shafts of light in the darkness.

For example, I have seen at first hand the superb organisation at Derby Arena, where thousands of people have been given their first vaccinations.

This is a fantastic new facility, run by a team who really want to make a difference and, given adequate supply, will vaccinate people in the city in double-quick time.

They have such a can-do attitude, which is so refreshing, and the medical team at the arena is being expanded over the next couple of weeks to its optimum capacity.

I am also very pleased that the hub at Babington Hospital is also open to serve those who need vaccinations from Belper and surrounding areas.

I know there have been some hiccups in delivery and debate about the gap between the two jabs but I appeal to everyone to accept vaccination when it is offered so we can defeat this ghastly virus.

And please don’t call and clog up the system. They will contact you.

More good news has been reported from brilliant Derbyshire company SureScreen Diagnostics, which has provided 2 million of the first British-manufactured rapid lateral flow antigen tests for Covid19 to be validated by Public Health England for use in asymptomatic testing.

I know SureScreen well and have long been impressed by the innovation with comes out of its sites in Morley and Derby.

Its rapid antigen tests can be part of the concerted battle against Covid on many fronts. This type of test could be vital in getting business, including the hospitality sector, back on its feet.

But the question remains over when we will return to some sort of normality and I must admit frustration that there is no obvious route plan out of lockdown.

Obviously, I am aware intense pressures are on the NHS but they are also on the wider UK population.

The mental health of this country is hanging by a thread and people want to know more about the progressive plan of coming out of lockdown once we have achieved critical mass in terms of vaccinations.

Those who have been vaccinated will want to know why they can’t meet others who have also had the jabs, particularly those elderly people who have not been with brothers, sisters and friends for many months.

Parents want to know when schools can go back and what the plan will be for their children’s safety.

I am hearing too many stories of people having cancer operations postponed or life-changing surgeries put on hold.

We need to unblock our clinical services and bring back the nonCovid work of the health service.

To do this, we need all hands to the pump to set even more ambitious targets for vaccine rollout, using pharmacies, St John Ambulance Service personnel and everyone who is qualified.

We also need to make certain that there are no impediments to supply.

Importantly, we also need the public to make sure they respond promptly and positively to any request to attend a vaccination centre.

Having your injection will potentially save the lives of others as well as your own. It is the only obvious way that we can bring this virus under control.

Think of the magnificent untiring efforts that others have made during this crisis, especially our key workers.

Make it your job to have the jab.