A million people across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw have now had their COVID-19 vaccine thanks to an army of NHS staff and volunteers.
On December 8 2020 Trixie Walker was one of the first patients to receive the vaccine and just 20 weeks later over a million people across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw have now been protected against the virus.
GPs, nurses, pharmacists and countless other NHS staff and volunteers have pulled out all the stops to deliver the vaccination programme.
Kirsten Major, Chief Executive at Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This fantastic achievement is tribute to the hard work of NHS staff and volunteers across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. Their dedication has meant more people have protection against this awful virus. I would urge everyone to come forward to be vaccinated when they are called by the NHS. It is also really important people come back for their 2nd dose of the vaccine as that is the only way to get full protection.”
Mr Colin Davies, a retired teacher from Dinnington received his 2nd jab last week at the Sheffield Arena Vaccination Centre. Mr Davies said: “I was never in any doubt about whether to have the vaccine. The vaccination programme has worked like clockwork, really efficient and the NHS really is our National Treasure. I would say to everyone, get your vaccine when you are offered the opportunity, it is the only way to protect yourself and others. It is so simple to book and takes minutes to have.”
Chief Officer for Doncaster CCG Jackie Pederson, said: “This is a great achievement and we’re really pleased so many people are coming forward to get better protection against coronavirus. We’ve been delighted with the response and so proud of all our NHS staff and volunteers across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw for their dedication and hard work over the past few months.
“It’s really important that people continue to keep their appointments for their second dose so we can move forward with the vaccination programme and our goal to give every adult their jabs by mid-summer.”
If you are aged 40 or over or fit into any of the other eligible groups*, you can now book your Covid-19 vaccine online http://nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119 for free. Your local primary care vaccination site may also call you direct to be vaccinated. If you have an appointment and need to change or cancel it, please let the NHS service where you booked you appointment know so they can use the appointment for someone else.