Vaccination Services across the Black Country and West Birmingham went live yesterday with vaccines in Wolverhampton care homes Newlyn Court Nursing Home and Belvidere Court Nursing Home in Bilston, Wolverhampton following a successful start vaccinating PCN sites last week (14 December). Today saw the turn of residents at Lime Tree Court to receive their vaccine.

Care home residents and staff are being prioritised along with people aged 80 and above in the first phase of the vaccination programme, the biggest in NHS history.

Dr Raj Mohindroo, vaccinating GP said today, “Primary Care in Wolverhampton has had a fantastic start to its largest ever vaccination programme in the City.

“GPs and other primary care staff have well established relationships with care homes and people in their local areas. I feel privileged to be administering the vaccine today to some of the city’s most at-risk residents, ensuring they are protected from coronavirus.

“I am looking forward to coming back in 21 days to administer the second vaccine, as it’s vital that once everybody has had their first jab, that they have a follow up appointment for the second.”

Vaccination Services are primary care based and led by GPs. They will offer the vaccine to patients within their Primary Care Networks (PCN) group from one nominated practice site and some of the larger care homes within their area.

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine. There is no need to contact the NHS.

John Denley, Director of Public Health, City of Wolverhampton Council said today, "Vaccination is only one step in the fight against Coronavirus and we all still need to remain vigilant and follow the local COVID alert level restrictions.

“We will continue to support the standing up of more vaccination services over the coming weeks to ensure that all our communities have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Vaccination centres treating large numbers of patients will subsequently stand up when further supplies of the vaccine become available, we will confirm these sites when we are able to do so.

“In the meantime, it's incredibly important that people continue to do everything they can to stop the spread of the virus.

This means continuing to follow the Hands, Face, Space guidance and adhering to the Tier 3 restrictions which are currently in place”

The COVID-19 vaccination is given in two doses, at least 21 days apart. You can find out more about the COVID-19 vaccination on the NHS website.