Hope as mass vaccination to start at Arena
PEOPLE across Derby say they have started to receive appointments for their coronavirus jab at Derby Arena. The NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (DDCCG) said: “We’re delighted that GP practices in Derby are now booking in patients for their Covid-19 vaccinations, in anticipation of deliveries of the vaccine later this week.”
It came as Derby City Council leader Chris Poulter delivered a message of hope, saying: “The number one priority now must be the vaccination programme, the best and possibly the only way, to finally beat this pandemic.”
AS Derby edges nearer to setting up a mass vaccination site, the leader of the city council has pleaded with people to be patient and wait to be contacted when it is their turn.
He also said that the council was offering all the support it could to the NHS as the vaccination programme looks set to start later this week in Derby.
Councillor Chris Poulter said: “The number one priority now must be the vaccination programme, the best and possibly the only way, to finally beat this pandemic.
“The vaccine is extremely welcome, and we are providing the resources and support needed by the NHS, in their efforts to deliver the ongoing vaccination programme in Derby.
“While we are actively encouraging our partners to accelerate delivery of the vaccine across the city, we do have to ask people to be patient and wait to be contacted to attend for their injection, starting with the much-needed protection for our vulnerable citizens, frontline health and social care workers.
“I understand that people are extremely keen to ensure that they benefit from the vaccine themselves at the earliest opportunity, and may be worried that they are missing out, but we will do everything possible to keep people informed on the progress made in terms of rolling out this vital programme across the city and the region.” Earlier, the NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group welcomed news that the city’s GPs had started to invite the elderly and vulnerable for appointments to have jabs later this week at Derby Arena.
Mr Poulter spoke a few hours after the UK entered a third lockdown and also offered a message of hope to people in the city, asking them to come together at a crucial time.
He said: “The news of another lockdown is really worrying and frustrating for us all – however we do want to reassure people that our fight against Covid this far has saved lives, and that our resolve to tackle the problems alongside our NHS partners is as strong as ever.
“But we do need people to continue to do the right thing for Derby and comply with the latest stringent restrictions.
“The Chancellor has today made announcements in relation to much needed further financial support, to support affected businesses, local authorities and small businesses.
“However, in the meantime, we still need to keep in mind the importance of our own actions in support of our wider efforts to bring transmission rates down.
“By working together to do the right thing for Derby, 2021 will be a much brighter year.”