THE people of Redditch are being urged to get fully vaccinated against Covid-19 after figures show the borough is lagging way behind the rest of Herefordshire and Worcestershire for innoculations.
While across the two counties nearly 73 per cent of eligible adults have received their booster jabs, in Redditch just 39 per cent have had their boosters, according to figures from NHS England.
The town is also lagging behind for first jabs, with some 20 per cent of people over the age of 12 still not having had their first vaccine, increasing to 26 per cent for the second jab.
However Simon Trickett, the chief executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group said it was still not too late for people to come forward for their first or second jabs.
“The threat posed by Omicron to the NHS is still significant, so I would urge everyone to get boosted as soon as they can,” he said.
“For those who haven’t received their first or second dose of the vaccine, it is not too late to do so.”
Councillor Matt Dormer, the Leader of Redditch Borough Council, echoed Mr Trickett’s concerns of placing too much pressure on the NHS.
He said: “My sister-in-law works in intensive care at Worcestershire Royal and sometime she comes home in tears,” he said.
“Some 90 per cent of the Covid patients in there have not had a jab, and she says it is heartbreaking.”
And he said the failure of people to get vaccinated was having a knock on effect on the wider NHS.
“Look at the Garden Suite. It was moved to Kidderminster so the Alex could treat Covid patients and it won’t be coming back until we get Covid under control,” he said.
“Waiting lists are getting longer, patients are waiting longer for treatment and I would urge those who still have not been fully jabbed to think of their loved ones and people awaiting treatment and get vaccinated.”
Mr Trickett said: “I would like to thank our local partners for mobilising so quickly to ramp up booster delivery across both counties, and also members of local communities who have come forward so quickly for their booster vaccination.
“Vaccinations are available to book via the NHS national booking system or by calling 119.”
Source:
