COVID vaccine take up in Redditch is slightly lower than in the rest of Worcestershire.
The news comes after the high rate of infection in the town was discussed at a meeting with Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Wednesday.
Following the meeting Redditch MP Rachel Maclean and Councillor Matt Dormer, Leader of Redditch Borough Council issued a joint statement saying: “We have been told Redditch will continue to follow the Government’s road map to ending the lockdown.
“The Redditch infection rate has dropped dramatically since peaking at 721 per 100,000 in January – and that’s down to everyone playing their part by following the rules, so thank you for all that you’re doing.
“However, with society and the economy unlocking, the best thing we can all do to keep ourselves safe, our families safe and our communities safe is to get vaccinated.
“The vaccine is saving lives and protecting people against coronavirus.
“Sadly, when compared to the rest of Worcestershire, take-up of the Covid vaccines in Redditch is slightly lower.
“This is concerning, but Public Health, the NHS and the local council are working on a plan to increase take-up levels in Redditch and to target testing.”
Redditch currently has 152 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people, up five on last week, compared to the average for England of just 46.
So far more than 6,000 local residents have contracted Covid and the borough has recorded 184 deaths from the virus.
Just last week the Redditch Standard highlighted the dire situation in the town at a top level Question and Answer session with Worcestershire’s director of public health Dr Kath Cobain, top local GP Dr Jonathan Wells and Coun Dormer.
They urged residents to work together to bring the infection rate down and to minimise contact with others and get tested if they fell ill.
Testing can be carried out at a number of local pharmacies and at Redditch Town Hall.
People can also self-test and Dr Wells gave a clear demonstration of how easy and quick this is.
For re-assurance on the Astrazenica/Oxford vaccine click https://youtu.be/dggIz2zPzwk
