Vaccination milestone reached

Two thirds of adults in Cheshire West and Chester have now had a COVID-19 vaccination and more than a third have had two doses.

This milestone figure echoes the UK national vaccination programme results across the country.

The Council is working closely with NHS partners in the roll out of the vaccination programme which is the largest the country has ever seen. Vaccinations are currently available to every adult over the age of 38 at centres across the borough.

The vaccination programme started in late December 2020 and, so far, more than 100,000 residents in the borough have had two doses while nearly 200,000 have had a single dose.

Once vaccinated, residents are reminded that they should still observe the rules of hands, space, face and fresh air and test themselves twice a week.

While vaccines offer protection, they do not offer total protection. Around one in three people have Coronavirus without having any symptoms and so could be spreading the virus unwittingly.

Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, said: “This is wonderful news. The roll out of the vaccination programme has been a marvellous example of joined up working. It is remarkable that over 300,000 vaccinations have been administered in less than five months.”

Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health said: “If you are invited for your vaccine then please take it up, it is safe and will protect you and your loved ones. And if you are eligible but haven’t yet taken up the offer of a vaccine you still can and I would encourage you to do so.

“No vaccine offers complete immunity and so continue to observe the rules – hands face, space, fresh air and continue to test twice a week.”

For more information on COVID-19 testing visit:

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/c19testing.

For more information on the vaccination programme visit:

www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk.