Over 1,100 patients were immunised on first day of Covid-19 vaccination program at Wilmslow Health Centre.
Covid vaccinations started on Saturday, 9th January, as the first delivery of vaccine was deployed to Wilmslow.
As the delivery site for CHAW Primary Care Network, Wilmslow Health Centre hosted medical teams from Chelford Surgery, Alderley Edge Medical Practice, Kenmore Medical Centre, Handforth Health Centre and Wilmslow Health Centre, to start to the area's covid vaccination programme.
Dr Amar Ahmed, Partner at Wilmslow Health Centre, said "In the coming weeks, we hope to roll this out to the entire eligible population, starting with those most at risk.
"Wilmslow Health Centre remains indebted to the army of volunteers organised by James Bunker and Rev Kirsty Thorpe who, just as during the 1st lockdown, selflessly rose to the the challenge of recruiting and organising volunteers who did an amazing job in challenging conditions. Thank you all."
The mayor of Cheshire East, 81-year-old Councillor Barry Burkhill, had his vaccine this weekend at Wilmslow Health Centre. Barry said: "It was a well-oiled machine of organisation with many nurses and doctors administering the injections in different sections of the health centre.
"It is so important for everyone who receives either a phone call or letter from the NHS inviting them to attend for their jab, to accept and gain the protection from this vicious virus. It not only protects you but also helps to eventually stop the spread to others. I would urge everyone to have their vaccine jab when it is offered. It only takes a few minutes and is almost painless."
Medical teams and volunteers are now planning for next week as their second delivery of the vaccine is scheuled to arrive on Tuesday.
The next Covid vaccination clinics will take place on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
A spokesperson for Alderley Edge Medical Centre said "Text invites were sent out yesterday (Sunday, 10th January) and will be followed up by a phone call for non responders. Still working through over 80s. We will contact you, please don't ring the surgery. Thanks for your patience."
Photos: Dr Hunsley personally accepts the vaccine. Dr Amar Ahmed. Sister Jane Gaskell supported by Pauline Webb. Dr Alex Garvey of Alderley Edge Medical Practice.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I received a letter asking me to register for vaccination ,I did this on NHS website and they offered me Manchester, Widnes or Birmingham.
I was be indebted if somebody could tell me how I can get the vaccination at Wilmslow.
In summary, people aged 80 or over who live 30 to 45 minutes drive from one of the seven new sites are invited to book a vaccination at one of the new NHS vaccination centres.
If you want to be vaccinated as soon as possible, this will be the way to do it. But you don't have to take up the invitation.
"The invitations to attend are being issued to people aged 80 or over who are not listed as having been vaccinated at a hospital or GP service.
If they have received a jab since the letter was sent out or would prefer to wait to be invited to attend a hospital or GP service they can simply ignore it."
I have seen comment elsewhere that the letter sent out with the invitation is not clear on this point.
Keith Booth
The weasel word is 'offered'. I thought this word might have been included because some will refuse the vaccine, and obviously that would not be the government's fault. 'More or Less', however, suggests another interpretation of ‘offered’. That is, on 14th February or thereabouts the government will send out a couple of million letters 'offering' a vaccination to all the over 70s who have still to be vaccinated…. Those vaccinations will be offered for vaccination dates in May and June.
There you go! All the over 70s will have been 'OFFERED' a vaccine before mid February even though it may be a further few months before they actually get the jab!
Given the government’s ‘previous’ on test and trace statistics, I think ‘More or Less’ may have a valid point. But I do hope not and that we do indeed see 24 / 7 roll out of the vaccine. It really is the only way out of this crisis.
Thanks
Elaine