The NHS vaccination programme in Calderdale continues to make strong progress thanks to hundreds of people involved, in under four months the NHS with the support of our partners in Calderdale has given the vital first vaccine dose to more than half of all adults.

Everyone in the top nine priority groups are now eligible to book their vaccination, and many people have done exactly that over the last few days.

Appointments for first doses are still available for the rest of March, but they are filling up fast. So, if you are in an eligible group – meaning you are 50 or over, have a health condition that puts you at greater risk, or are a health or social care worker – and you haven’t booked your first dose yet, the time to do so is right now.

It’s quick and simple to book by contacting your GP practice, book online at https://nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or phone 119 and the vaccines are safe and effective.

If you already have an appointment over the coming weeks, whether for your first or second dose, this remains in place and it’s really important that you attend it as planned. If you received your first vaccination via a GP practice site they will be in touch to arrange your second vaccination soon.

CCG Chair, Dr Steven Cleasby says:

“The first dose of both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine offer good levels of protection, but to get maximum protection everyone will need to get a second dose, so we are urging people to come back when they are contacted and get their second dose.

“Thousands of people in Calderdale are already benefiting from protection from the virus, and we are seeing this result in a fall in infections and hospital admissions from Covid

“But NHS staff are still having to work hard to deliver the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as providing care for everyone who needs it”.

The NHS needs the public to continue to play their part too:

• Unless you are in the groups being invited now, please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you when it is the right time.

• Please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to as this makes it easier to manage social distancing at the vaccine sites.

• Remember to return for your second dose to ensure maximum protection.

• Whether you have had your vaccine or not, please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives.