I am delighted to learn that already in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, our
NHS has vaccinated over 100,000 people, as part of plans to vaccinate the top 4
priority groups by mid-February.
More than 5 million doses have been administered to over 4.6 million people
across the United Kingdom and the Government’s Vaccines Delivery Plan sets
out how it aims to offer vaccines to every elderly care home resident by the
end of the month. So far, more than half of those over 80s and care home
residents have received a vaccine.
On top of this, the Government is opening up new vaccination sites every day
to ensure everyone is within 10 miles of a vaccination centre.
I have received many emails and letters regarding the rollout of the vaccine
from your concerns about prioritising pharmacy staff and other workers to
businesses wanting to become vaccination centres. I have regular calls with
senior health officials and the local vaccination rollout team and make sure
they are aware of all the points you raise.
Despite the good news about vaccines and the progress on getting the most at
risk vaccinated, the Royal Stoke hospital is close to capacity, so it is really
important to follow the rules. This includes people who have received their
vaccination, or have had the virus as although the vaccination will reduce your
chance of becoming seriously ill, clinicians do not yet know whether it will stop
you from passing the virus on to others.
Local councils are also calling for all workers who can’t work from home to
book a regular COVID test – as part of the rollout of mass testing of people
without symptoms. There is a Community Testing Centre at Biddulph Leisure
Centre and pop up centres in Werrington and Caverswall. Please see
to book.
