The 200,000th Covid vaccine was administered this week in County Durham!
This follows the news that Clare Ripley made history when she became the millionth patient in the region to receive the vaccine when she attended Station View Medical Centre in Bishop Auckland.
The North East continues to lead the way in the rollout of the vaccine and just this week an additional vaccine site opened right in the heart of Durham City.
Health bosses are hoping to confirm an additional community pharmacy site in the Durham Dales next week.
Of the 200,000 vaccines administered, that includes 95% of people aged 80 or over and 92% of people in care homes.
Dr Stewart Findlay, chief officer of NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group and primary care director for the regional vaccination programme said:
“We are making fantastic progress vaccinating people across the County thanks to the hard work and dedication of our clinical teams in primary care and community pharmacies.
“It’s vital everyone who is offered the vaccine takes up the opportunity, as the more people who are vaccinated, the less people will become seriously ill.
“It’s also really important that people continue to follow social distancing guidance, practice good hand hygiene and wear a face covering when required.
Dr Findlay is also keen to remind people that they shouldn’t contact their GP practice about the vaccine, after surgeries reported a high volume of calls which stops those with immediate healthcare issues being able to get through.
He said: “Please be patient and wait until the NHS contacts you about the vaccine; we will contact you when it is the right time.
“When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, so that we can avoid queues in the cold weather.”
