Vax weekly update – 76,239 people now had first Covid jab

A total of 76,239 people registered with a Bury GP have now been vaccinated against coronavirus.

This means that 42% of the eligible population (182,100) have been given at least one of the two jabs necessary to protect against the potentially fatal illness.

Everyone aged 50+ or who is in a vulnerable/priority group is being urged to book their vaccination as soon as they receive their invitation. If you are over 50 and have not yet been contacted, call your GP practice ASAP.

Bury’s jabs are being carried out by medical staff at four vaccination centres run by the Primary Care Networks: the Elizabethan Suite in Bury, Bealey’s in Radcliffe, Ramsbottom Civic Hall, and Prestwich Walk-in Centre.

The figures also include Bury residents who are vaccinated at hospital and mass vaccination centres outside Bury such as the Etihad.

Vaccination targets:

• By 15 Feb: everyone aged 70+ and clinically extremely vulnerable people over 16 = 39,400 people. Completed.
• By 15 April: everyone aged 50+ and clinically vulnerable people over 16 = a further 72,700 people.
• By end July: everyone 18+ and clinically vulnerable people aged 16 and 17 = the remaining 70,000 people.

Frontline health and social care staff are also being vaccinated as priority groups.

Remember:

• Vaccinations are given to people in the priority order set by the Government
• Vaccination is by invitation only and you will be contacted when it is your turn. Depending on the priority group you are in, you may be contacted by your GP practice (by letter, phone or text message which will include a link to book an appointment) or you may receive a letter from the NHS.
• If you receive a letter from the NHS inviting you to one of the national vaccination centres, but would prefer to receive your vaccination locally, you can choose to wait and your GP practice will be in touch.

• The second dose of the vaccine is given around 11 weeks after the first dose, and you will be contacted by letter, phone or text message to book an appointment when the time is right. If you haven't been contacted by week 10 after your first dose, please contact your GP practice.

• You must still follow the Covid-safe rules even if you have been vaccinated – it takes several weeks for the vaccine to work, and you may still be able to catch the virus and pass it on.

Advice and support on all matters related to coronavirus can be found on the council’s website: www.bury.gov.uk

ENDS

Press release issued: 18 March 2021.