A SHOT IN THE ARM FOR CITY!
COVID FIGHTBACK BEGINS AS FIRST JAB IS GIVEN IN CITY
LEICESTER’S fightback against Covid will take a huge step today as the first city hospital patient is vaccinated against the virus, writes Amy Orton.
The first jab was being administered at Leicester General Hospital after University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust was confirmed as a hospital hub for vaccination after days of uncertainty.
However, health chiefs have warned that it will take time for the vaccine to be rolled out and that, in the meantime, it is essential people do not become complacent and that they continue to observe restrictions.
A NEW chapter in Leicester’s long and painful battle with the panedemic opens today, as the first Covid jab in Leicester is given.
After the first patient is injected with the vaccine, the mammoth task of injecting the rest of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’s population will follow.
Heading up that operation is Andy Williams, chief executive of the area’s three clinical commissioning groups.
He said: “Given the extended restrictions Leicester and parts of Leicestershire have been under, the vaccine is welcome news. The team here are getting ready to deliver the vaccinations, and looking forward to doing so.
“It will take time to be rolled out across the local population and, in the meantime, it is essential that people do not become complacent and continue to follow any local restrictions as well as public health advice.
“It is, to borrow a phrase, a marathon, not a sprint. And the NHS will contact you when we need you to come forward for your vaccination.”
Below are the answers to some of the key coronavirus vaccination questions.
WHEN WILL THE VACCINATIONS START?
Today. The first patient has been chosen and will roll up their sleeve at Leicester General Hospital, after UHL was confirmed as a hospital hub on Thursday night.
WHAT WAS THE DELAY?
The local NHS was asked, along with other local trusts up and down the country, to be ready to go at the beginning of December. The Mercury understands that health bosses here were ready as requested, but decisions on which areas get the vaccine and when are made at a national level.
DOES THIS MEAN OUR ROLL-OUT IS BEHIND?
NHS chiefs say the delay won’t mean we are behind anywhere else, they hope to announce more venues in the coming days, and the roll-out will happen as quickly as the logistics allow.
With the vaccine needing two doses there are lots of things to consider, including availability of the doses. All hubs have been given the same amount of stock initially.
WILL RACECOURSE STILL BE USED?
The Mercury understands that the racecourse remains firmly part of the mass vaccination plan and dates and details will be announced when the venue is ready to go.
WHERE ELSE WILL THE JABS BE GIVEN?
The Leicester General Hospital vaccination hub is the first of what will be a range of sites across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as further supplies of the vaccine become available. Details will be provided as and when they are confirmed.
HOW MANY JABS WILL BE GIVEN?
The Mercury understands that local health bosses are aiming to jab almost 4,000 people a week when the full operation is up and running. Vaccines require two doses to offer full immunity which will involve people having two injections.
HOW DO I GET IT?
People will be contacted by their GP practice to arrange appointments. Health bosses have asked for patience.
Everyone who is over 18 is eligible for the vaccine and will get it, but there are priority groups and the roll-out is a huge logistical undertaking.
WHO WILL GET IT FIRST?
In line with expert advice, the phased vaccination programme will see patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospital as an outpatient, and those who are being discharged home after a hospital stay, prioritised to receive the life-saving jab in the first wave of delivery. Care home providers are also being asked by the Department of Health and Social Care to begin booking staff into vaccination clinics. GPs are
It will take time to be rolled out across the local population. It is a marathon, not a sprint
Health chief Andy Williams
also expected to be able to begin vaccinating care home residents.
Any appointments not used for these groups will be used for healthcare workers who are at highest risk of serious illness from Covid-19.
WILL IT MEAN RESTRICTIONS WILL BE LIFTED?
Not yet. Vulnerable people and those in at-risk groups will be the first to get vaccinated. Public health bosses say tiers, social distancing and masks will be with us for a while yet.
Most seem to cite spring as when things might start to relax. A combination of enough people being vaccinated, the infection rates and cases and the number of vaccines available will contribute to the decisions.
IS THERE JUST ONE VACCINE?
At the moment, yes. The Pfizer BioNTech jab is the only vaccine so far to have been approved by regulators. But it’s hoped that the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine isn’t far behind.
The Government has ordered more of this one than others so it’s thought it’s the one that most people will receive.
IS IT SAFE?
Leicester city council’s director of public health, Professor Ivan Browne, has addressed the issue of safety and anti-vax campaigns.
He said: “I recognize that people are concerned about the speed of the development of the vaccine but in simple terms I would put it like this – you have to recognise that every vaccine organisation across the world has been working on a single problem.”