Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage, has welcomed the news that all care homes in England, including those in the Gosport Constituency, have been offered a COVID-19 vaccine.
That totals over 10,000 care homes with older residents in England who are at risk to serious complications without the COVID-19 vaccine. There remain just a small number whose vaccine visits have been deferred due to a local outbreak who will be prioritised when it is safe for the team to visit.
Caroline commented:
“Our elderly and vulnerable residents are the most at risk to serious complications if they catch COVID-19. As such, they have rightly been prioritised for vaccinations to help protect them from this dreadful virus.
“I am very pleased that the government has achieved its ambitious target and that all homes have been offered vaccinations. Hopefully, this will be one of many milestones to come as we remain on track to inoculate the top 4 priority groups by mid-February.
“Thank you to all our brilliant NHS staff and volunteers who have made this a reality.”
Dr Nikki Kanani, NHS England’s primary care director, said:
“I want to thank my colleagues, and everyone involved in the vaccine rollout for their extraordinary work in recent weeks, as it is because of their tireless efforts that millions of people have already been vaccinated, including hundreds of thousands of care home residents, and as a result we are a vital step further in our fight against COVID-19.
“It has been a privilege to vaccinate some of the most vulnerable people and the wonderful people who look after them. Many have had little contact with the outside world throughout the pandemic and so it has been truly humbling for all, giving them hope and importantly protection against the disease.”
“I would urge anyone who is offered the vaccine to come forward.”
Over 9.2 million vaccines have been administered including to 9 in 10 of those over the age of 80 and 1 in 2 of over 70s. Britain remains the third country in the world for vaccinations per capita, behind only Israel and the UAE.
In addition, the Health Secretary has announced that the government has secured an additional 40 million doses of Valneva – 100 million total. The vaccine, which is still in phase I/II trials, is being manufactured in West Lothian, Scotland. This brings the UKs vaccine portfolio to 407 million doses over the next two years.
