News

North West COVID-19 vaccination programme celebrates two million autumn doses on its two-year anniversary

The NHS in the North West is celebrating a double milestone after delivering its two-millionth autumn dose of the COVID-19 vaccine two years after the vaccination programme launched.

It’s the latest in a long series of milestones achieved since the vaccination programme launched on 8 December 2020.

Back then, Doreen McKeown from Lancashire and Ted Jones from Greater Manchester became some of the first people in the region to get their COVID-19 vaccines, outside of a clinical trial.  More than 17 million vaccines have been given in total across the region since, including first, second and booster doses.

The autumn campaign, which started just three months ago, is the latest phase of the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in NHS history, aimed at boosting the protection of those most vulnerable from becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19.

Anyone aged 50 and over, pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems, unpaid carers and frontline health and social care workers are eligible for an autumn booster dose, as long as it has been three months since their last dose of the vaccine.

Doreen, 83, who received her autumn booster dose in September said: “It was an honour to be one of the first to receive the vaccine in the North West, and to see the positive impact that the COVID-19 vaccination programme has had across our region over the past two years

“It has protected myself, my loved ones and friends against serious illness and for that I am eternally grateful.

“I had my COVID-19 booster in September and had the flu vaccine at the same time. It was so easy to arrange and I urge everyone to have both vaccines to ensure we can enjoy good health as we head into winter.

“I vividly remember the TV pictures from the Covid wards, and we owe it to our loved ones and the incredible NHS staff to do everything we can to protect ourselves”

Ted Jones, a volunteer at Salford Royal Hospital, was also one of the first to receive a COVID-19 jab on 8 December 2020. He said: “I can’t believe it has been two years since having my first Covid jab. My life stopped when I was told during the pandemic that I had to stop volunteering; I love volunteering and being around my volunteering friends is what keeps me going.

“It was so important to me to have my vaccines so I could get back to normal and come back to Salford Royal. I have had all my COVID-19 jabs now, as well as my flu jabs, and I have not (touch wood) had Covid yet, so I am really lucky.”

Maxine Pamplett-Jones, Assistant Director of Nursing – Occupational Health at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, was part of the team giving the first Covid vaccines in 2020 and will be working in the Trust’s vaccine clinic on the anniversary.

She said: “Throughout the last two years it has been a privilege to work on the COVID-19 vaccination programme. It’s been fantastic to play a small part in the return to normal many of us now take for granted.

“I’m proud to have worked alongside some amazing colleagues who have worked so hard to deliver the vaccine to thousands of people.”

NHS vaccination services are continuing to offer first, second and autumn booster doses of the vaccine to anyone eligible in the run up to Christmas, with a range of pop up and mobile clinics taking the vaccine out into communities, alongside established sites run by general practice and community pharmacy teams in shopping and other community locations around the region (a selection of the sites open this weekend listed below).

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning and Senior Responsible Officer for the NHS Vaccination Programme in the North West, has urged people to come forward for their vaccine ahead of the Christmas and New Year period.

She said: “The number of jabs we have delivered in the North West is fantastic, and it is thanks to the tremendous efforts of NHS staff, partners and volunteers – and of course the millions of people who have come forward for the life-saving protection the vaccines offer. The COVID-19 vaccination programme is a great example of what can be achieved by working in partnership.

“On the second anniversary of the first vaccine being delivered, I want to take the opportunity to encourage anyone eligible who has yet to take up the autumn booster offer, or any other dose that they are due, to come forward now to ensure that you have the best protection for yourself and your loved ones as you prepare to celebrate with family and friends.”

The COVID-19 vaccine has reduced the impact previously seen by the virus in our communities, and also on our critical care services. It can reduce the risk of developing COVID-19, make symptoms milder, and help build immunity against the virus, so that we can fight off infection.

It’s never too late to get any dose of the vaccine, if you’re yet to have a first, second or booster dose, you can come forward at any time, to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming ill with COVID-19.

You can book a vaccination appointment on the National Booking Service: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or you can find a local walk-in site, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/.

ENDS

Notes

Here are some of the locations across the North West where people can grab a jab ahead of Christmas this weekend:

Cheshire & Merseyside

  • Aintree University Hospital, Thursday 8 and Friday 9 December, 9am to 12 noon & 1pm to 5pm/ Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 December,10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 3pm
  • Mersey Ferry Terminal Building, Pier Head – Thursday 8 and Friday 9 December, 8am to 12 noon & 1pm to 4pm/ Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 December,10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 3pm

The Living Well bus will take COVID-19 vaccinations out into local communities at:

Thursday, 8 December

 

  • Summerfields Village Centre car park, Wilmslow – 10.30am to 4pm
  • Peel Ports Seaforth Terminal – 10.30am to 4pm
  • Leech Croft Car Park, Stockbridge Village, Knowsley – 10.30am to 4pm

Friday, 9 December

 

  • Wirral Deen Centre, Birkenhead – 12.30pm to 6pm
  • Tesco Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows – 10.30am to 4pm
  • River Alt Community  Centre, Knowsley – 10.30am to 4pm

Greater Manchester

 

  • One Stockport Hub, Mersey Square, Stockport – Saturday, 10 December, 9:30am to 3.30pm
  • Little Hulton Health Centre, Salford – Saturday, 10 December, 9am to 1pm
  • The Lakes Medical Centre, Salford – Sunday, 11 December, 10am to 1pm
  • No.1 Riverside, Rochdale – Thursday, 8 December, 12pm to 5pm – offer drop-in COVID-19 and flu vaccines
  • Festival Hall Denton, Tameside – Thursday, 8 December, 3pm to 6pm
  • Avondale Health Centre, Bolton – Sunday, 11 December, 11am to 4.30pm
  • Horwich RMI Club, Bolton, Thursday, 8 December, 4pm to 6pm/ Friday, 9 December, 10am to 1pm/ Saturday, 10 December, 1pm to 4pm
  • Market Place, Bolton – Friday, 9 December, 10am to 4pm/ Saturday, 10 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Hootons Pharmacy, Bolton Wanderers Football Club – Thursday, 8 December, 9.15am to 1.15pm/ Friday, 9 December, 9.15am to 1.15pm
  • Breightmet Health Centre, Bolton – Saturday, 10 December, 9.30am to 1pm & 2pm to 4.30pm
  • Manor House Pharmacy, Bolton – Thursday, 8 December, 9am to 1pm & 2.30pm to 5pm/ Friday, 9 December, 9am to 1pm & 2.30pm to 5pm
  • Forum Vaccine Hub, Wythenshawe – Saturday, 10 December, 9.30am to 12.50pm
  • Pop up clinic at Lime Square Medical Centre, Openshaw, Manchester – Saturday, 10 December, 11am to 3pm
  • Florence House Medical Practice, Openshaw, Manchester – Thursday, 8 December, 4pm to 8pm
  • Manchester Town Hall Extension – Thursday, 8 December, 1pm to 6pm

 

Lancashire & South Cumbria

 

  • Burnley Mall – Friday, 9 and Saturday 10 December
  • Preston St John’s Shopping Centre – Friday 9 to Sunday 11 December
  • Ivy Street Community Centre, Blackburn – Thursday, 8 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Millom Fire Station, Cumbria – Thursday, 8 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Accrington Market Hall – Thursday, 8 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Morecambe Library Central – Thursday, 8 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Barnoldswick Co-op car park – Friday, 9 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Audley Community Centre, Blackburn – Saturday, 10 December, 10am-1pm (women only) & 1.30pm to 4pm (all)
  • The Blackpool vaccine bus will visit:
  • Morrisons, Squires Gate, Blackpool – Thursday, 8 December, 10am to 6pm
  • B&FC Bispham Campus, Bispham -Friday, 9 December, 10am to 4pm
  • Salvation Army, The Citadel, Blackpool – Saturday, 10 December, 10am to 4pm
  • St George’s High School, Blackpool – Sunday, 11 December, 10am to 4pm

For more information, please contact the NHS North West media team – england.nwmedia@nhs.net