Commons Sense By Windsor MP Adam Afriyie

It has been another week of impressive performance from the UK’s rollout of the vaccine as we continue to accelerate the vaccination of the most vulnerable cohorts of society. As of writing over 7 million doses have been given across the UK which represents over 10 per cent of the adult population. This is a phenomenal achievement, the likes of which has never been seen before.

Locally over 50,000 vaccine doses have been delivered to people in the Frimley Health NHS region which covers the Windsor constituency. Most people over the age of 80 have been contacted for their first dose and, better still, all care home residents should have received their vaccines by the end of the week.

We should now see deaths and serious illness fall sharply in the coming weeks. Pressure will be relieved from out NHS services and, as more and more people get their jabs, our healthcare workers should feel a sense of personal relief as healthcare begin to return to normal levels.

Our UK vaccination programme will put Britain in a very strong position come spring. Early signs are that the vaccines also fight the new variants, which is reassuring as nobody wants to go through repetitive and damaging cycles of lockdown. At the same time the vaccines will ensure that those who do get infected are less likely to get sick and be admitted to hospital. In essence, we are now fighting this virus on two fronts, and we are at last winning.

For this incredible national effort I must thank Windsor constituents for doing their bit by staying at home and adhering to the restrictions. I must also thank our NHS, GPs, pharmacists, healthcare and care workers who have pulled out all the stops to get the vaccines flowing at speed.

Let’s keep up the good work and I hope to see you in person again soon in meetings and on the streets and doorsteps of the Windsor constituency with a spring in my step.