​Nearly 2,000 vulnerable Bury residents get the Covid vaccination

Vulnerable residents across Bury can look forward to a safer New Year after they received their Covid-19 vaccinations.

Some 1,975 people took up the invitation to have the first of their two coronavirus jabs at the Prestwich and Radcliffe centres in the last ten days.

Plans are well under way to open more vaccination centres in the coming days and weeks so that the vaccine can be rolled out to more priority groups.

Residents who are eligible for a Covid jab will be contacted by their GP – please do not contact your doctor’s surgery before then.

People who have had the first jab are reminded that they need to return three weeks later for their second dose of the vaccine to be fully protected.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is just the good news for Christmas that we need, as it means that more and more of our most elderly and vulnerable residents are being protected by the day from this potentially fatal virus.

“While the arrival of a safe and effective vaccine is great news, we cannot let down our guard - it will take months for the vaccine to be rolled out to all age groups.

“The virus hasn’t gone anywhere; in fact, this new strain which is spreading across the country is 70% more infectious. We must all continue to take precautions to reduce its transmission – keep your distance, wear a face mask, and wash your hands - if we want to save lives, protect our NHS and get daily life back to normal.”

More information about coronavirus, local and Christmas restrictions and the support available is on the council’s website: https://www.bury.gov.uk/coronavirus

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 December 2020.

Picture: Pharmacy technician Joanne Hill prepares the vaccine at Bealey's vaccination centre in Radcliffe.