All residents in care homes across Warrington are set to receive their coronavirus vaccination by the end of this week.
GP practices have been working with care homes to deliver vaccinations as quickly as possible. Many care home residents and staff have already received the first dose of the vaccine, with remaining homes being booked in for vaccinations over the course of the week.
Care home staff are also able to access their vaccine through the vaccination hub at Warrington Hospital, which is leading on vaccinating critical frontline health and social care workers in Warrington.
Michelle Creed, Chief Nurse for NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Our GP practices are working together to support the coronavirus vaccination programme in care homes. They have made tremendous efforts in recent weeks to vaccinate our most vulnerable residents. We are pleased to announce that all care home residents in the borough are set to be vaccinated by the end of the week.
“This is happening alongside the community vaccination programme. Local NHS staff are doing an incredible job to deliver what is the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as continuing to be there for everyone who needs care, but we do need the public to play their part too. Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, please be assured that we will contact you when it is your turn. When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments at the time you’re asked to, so that we can avoid queues in this cold weather, and please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives, even if you have already had your vaccine.”
The local vaccination programme is prioritising people in high risk groups, including care home residents and staff, in line with national guidance. Any eligible people will be contacted by their GP practice in due course.
Cllr Rebecca Knowles, cabinet member for statutory health and adult social care, said: “Our care home residents are among those most at risk from this terrible virus that has claimed so many lives. It is a key milestone that this vulnerable group, and the people looking after them, are now in the process of receiving the vaccine, and it is right that they are at the front of the queue.
“Last year was very challenging for residents, with many of them unable to see their loved ones in person. Rolling out the vaccine to our care home residents, and the staff who care for them, is an important breakthrough and provides light at the end of the tunnel for families who are desperate to visit their loved ones.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our care home workers for their incredible efforts and dedication to caring for others in such difficult circumstances. It’s right that they are given priority access to the vaccine as it is the best way to enable them to continue to keep themselves, their families, and the people they care for as safe as possible.”
For more information about the coronavirus vaccination programme in Warrington, visit haltonwarringtonccg.nhs.uk/covidvaccine
