The NHS in the Midlands delivered 946,068 COVID vaccines last week – the highest weekly figure since the programme began on 8 December last year.

The incredible response to the accelerated booster programme, which is aiming to offer all adults a top-up jab by the end of December, also saw Saturday 18 December deliver 163,401 vaccines – the single best day ever.  These two milestone moments were achieved thanks to the huge efforts of staff and volunteers who’ve been thanked by senior NHS leaders for pulling out all the stops since the deadline for offering all adults a booster was brought forward to the end of the year.

Some of the highlights of the past week include:

• the opening of a new site at Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull vaccinating staff, their families and the local community
• the re-opening of vaccination sites including Telford’s International Centre
• Twenty-four hour jabbing at Bromsgrove’s Artrix theatre until Christmas Eve
• Mobile pop-up centres right across the Midlands, including fire stations, sports centres, shopping centres and high streets
• Targeted work in areas of Nottinghamshire with lower vaccine uptake

Alison Tonge, the NHS England and NHS Improvement director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:

“Achieving two firsts in a single week shows how positive the public’s response has been to this latest stage of the vaccine rollout. Now we’re encouraging people to continue coming forward throughout the festive season so we can continue to boost levels of protection across the region.

Alison added: I’m hugely grateful to all the NHS staff and vaccination centre volunteers across the Midlands who have been working so hard to respond to the public demand for the vaccine. Thank you so much for your continued support.”

Volunteer vaccinator Colin Smith says he would recommend the programme to others who are thinking of signing up. Colin, who is currently at Derby’s Midland House site but started out at the city’s Arena site, said: “People have been so happy – they are overjoyed to be getting their jabs.

“I originally heard about volunteering opportunities on the radio and I thought I’d be up for a bit of that. Save the world! I have lots of good memories and the people you meet are dead friendly.”

NHS medical director for the Midlands, Dr Nigel Sturrock, said:

“With Omicron cases soaring and two doses of the vaccine not providing the protection we need, it is vital to get a booster and lower your risk of serious illness or hospitalisation.

“Like all medicines, the COVID vaccines can cause side effects, but please don’t be put off. Any side effects are often mild and short-lived, but the benefit of having the booster for you, your family and your friends is substantial – getting boosted is our best hope of protecting people against the new variant.

“The response from NHS colleagues and volunteers, as well as our partners and communities since last week has been incredible, with my thanks going to everyone involved. Let’s keep pushing to protect as many people as possible by the end of the year.”

Matt Day, NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Deputy Director for Healthcare Public Health in the Midlands said:

“As case rates in the Midlands continue to rise, driven by the Omicron variant, the data clearly shows that getting boosted gives increases your protection from contracting the virus and from developing symptoms. Getting boosted, or indeed receiving any dose of the vaccine, helps protect you, your family and the wider community this Christmas. Please book your slot online as soon as possible and guarantee your vital jab”.

People can get their vaccine by booking online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-COVID-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/  or by calling 119, and GP practices are likewise inviting those who are eligible. Walk-in vaccination sites are also available across the Midlands and people can use the NHS online walk-in finder to find the most convenient site for them without an appointment.

People wishing to volunteer for the vaccination programme can find out more at nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk or at sja.org.uk