A quarter of all South Tyneside's adults have now had their first Covid jab as health chiefs mark milestone

Health bosses say the achievement of vaccinating a quarter of all adults with their first dose of Covid-19 jab is “South Tyneside at its very best” as it marks the milestone.
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NHS leaders have today, Monday, February 15, confirmed they have reached almost everyone in the first four priority groups, following on from the Government’s announcement that more than 15 million people across the UK had been covered with their first vaccine.

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great-grandmother Joan Myers, 81, was among the first to have the vaccine in South Tyneside.great-grandmother Joan Myers, 81, was among the first to have the vaccine in South Tyneside.
great-grandmother Joan Myers, 81, was among the first to have the vaccine in South Tyneside.
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Matt Brown, executive director of Operations at NHS South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said the milestone was an “incredible achievement.”

He added: "From doctors and nurses to security and volunteer marshals, everyone has pulled together and worked so hard.

"This has shown South Tyneside at its very best, in so many ways.

"The pharmacists giving up their weekends to reach people who are housebound, as well as helping in the vaccine centres.

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"The doctors, nurses and practice managers working almost every day over Christmas.

"The outreach teams holding special vaccine clinics so that people with learning disabilities can get the vaccine in a place that's familiar to them.

"The drive to reach all frontline staff at South Tyneside Hospital.”

He said more than 250 people had volunteered to work as marshals, while the health care staff worked to ensure the programme is efficient, using a list of people able to attend at short notice to ensure vials are fully used up.

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The focus is now to invite the next two groups – people over 65, and those aged 16-65 who are in at-risk groups – before returning to the first four cohorts for second doses.

Anyone over 70 and not invited, or have previously sent a letter saying they are at high risk, can call 119 or register online to book.

Front line health and social care workers should be offered vaccination appointments via their employer, while people in those roles who are self-employed, such as personal assistants, chiropodists or physios, can register.

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