Leeds Covid vaccine programme delivers jabs to more than 200,000 people as over 60s now invited to book appointments

More than 200,000 people in Leeds have now received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as West Yorkshire residents aged 60 and over are invited to make their appointments.
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In his daily Twitter update on Thursday, Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan revealed that 202,000 - or 28 per cent of Leeds residents - had now received at least one jab.

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He said the Leeds case rate was down to 165.4 per 100,000 people, adding: "Let’s stay in unless vital, keep our distance, wash hands and take the vaccine when called."

Coun James Lewis, who was elected as the new leader of Leeds City Council this week. Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeCoun James Lewis, who was elected as the new leader of Leeds City Council this week. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Coun James Lewis, who was elected as the new leader of Leeds City Council this week. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
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Newly-appointed council leader James Lewis shared a similar appeal in one of his first messages to residents since taking up the post on Wednesday.

"Now, more than ever as we look forward to the easing of some restrictions and the re-opening of schools, retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, we must all continue to play our part and work together to ensure we continue to drive down rates of transmission," he said.

"In Leeds, our rates have come down slowly but we must all continue to wash our hands, wear face masks, make space from others, take up the vaccine when we are offered it, and self-isolate and get tested if we are to meet the conditions for reopening; which is vital to so many of our businesses and the people who work in them."

His message featured in the council's weekly coronavirus newsletter, which goes out to more than 100,000 who have signed up for updates on the city's response to the pandemic, changes to services and community support.

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Coun Lewis said he was honoured to have been appointed leader at such a key point for the city, with only a few weeks to go until a year has passed since England entered its first national lockdown.

"I know the past year has been a difficult time for many struggling with loss of family and friends, jobs and income, balancing home schooling and working, caring for others, struggling with mental health and wellbeing, and missing contact with family, friends and loved ones," he said.

"As you may know, we have worked with national government to tackle the Covid pandemic whilst continuing to raise awareness of the impacts these have been having on our businesses and people in our communities; and to ask for the grants, funding and support needed to help businesses and residents cope with and get through these challenging times.

"The publication of the roadmap to reopening is a time of optimism with the vaccination programme and as restrictions are relaxed, and also caution about the impact that changes will have on transmission. My priority as new Leader is focused on our response and recovery so that we can get the city, our economy and public services moving again safely."

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Noting the progress made with the vaccination programme to date, he added: "The advice from the NHS remains the same: please wait to be contacted, they will be in touch when it is your turn."

It comes as the Yorkshire Evening Post and sister titles across JPIMedia continue our A Shot In The Arm campaign, calling for people to be provided with more easy-to-access information on the vaccine programme and its progress.

The campaign also asks for further reassurance for local communities and urges Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deploy the country’s network of 11,000 pharmacies to ensure that every citizen is only a short walk away from a vaccination centre.

In West Yorkshire, any residents who are aged 60 or over can now make an appointment for their first jab via the NHS booking website.

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Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust today reassured people that although the website's landing page says appointments are available to those aged 64 and over, the progress made locally means appointments can now be extended to the over 60s as well those health and social care workers, carers and people who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

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