More people in Leeds to be offered Covid Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine as city's infection rates continue to rise

As the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine is rolled out to GP centres, more care home residents and vulnerable people in Leeds will be offered the Covid protection.

Local GPs are working together to provide vaccinations to as many care home residents and patients over 80 years old across the city as these are those at greatest risk from the virus, in line with the recommendations from the Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations (JCVI).

The Oxford vaccine does not need to be stored at ultra-low temperatures and is much easier to move so is easier to use in care homes and will mean GPs can now start vaccinating housebound patients.

The local NHS is working to expand the rollout as quickly as supplies become available.

In Leeds, 17 of 19 primary care networks are now providing vaccinations from centres, with the final two expected to start next week.

The increased rollout in the city comes as the Covid infection rates have continued to rise despite the introduction of the third national lockdown.

As of January 7, there were 316.8 cases per 100,000 people in Leeds and a positivity rate of 14.1 per cent.

This is a significant daily rise from 290 cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate of 14 per cent from the day before on January 6.

On this day also, the CEO of Leeds City Council Tom Riordan tweeted that the over 60s infection rate is rising faster than the general infection rate, and was at 204 cases per 100,00 people.

Dr Jason Broch, local GP and Clinical Chair for NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group said: “It is great news that we will be able to protect more vulnerable people.

"We are working with partners in Leeds to make sure people can get their first vaccination as quickly and easily as possible and are ready to expand the rollout as fast as supplies become available.

“GPs, nurses, pharmacists and countless other staff, partners and volunteers are working around the clock to provide vaccinations.

"We know people are eager to get protected and may be concerned if they are in one of the priority cohorts and have not been contacted yet. However, we would like to reassure them that they will be contacted over the next few weeks.

“Services are extremely busy at the moment and we would ask people to help the NHS at this very difficult time by not contacting their local GP or other NHS services about getting a vaccination.

"People will not be able to book an appointment until they have been invited to do so, so please be patient and we will contact you as soon as it is your turn.”

In the coming weeks, the first community pharmacies will be starting to offer vaccinations, including two Boots sites in West Yorkshire, and four large vaccination centres are being set up across West Yorkshire, including at Elland Road in Leeds.

All services will continue to be appointment only and people will be invited for vaccinations through a national booking system, which will allow them to choose the most convenient location for them.

After those in care homes and over 80 have been vaccinated, GPs will then be able to move to other age groups in descending order.

Practices are busy contacting eligible patients to make appointments for their first vaccination as supplies are made available to them but it is likely take several weeks to cover everyone in these first groups.

A tweet from Leeds City Council on January 7 said: "Cases of #COVID19 are continuing to rise in #Leeds, with 316.8 cases per 100k today and a positivity rate of 14.1% (up from 290 cases per 100k and 14% positivity yesterday).

"These are the toughest of times but we can do this #TogetherLeeds by helping each other #StaySafe."

On January 6, Tom Riordan tweeted: "Over 60s rate rising faster to 204 per 100k.

"Tragically, 10 Covid related deaths were registered yesterday bringing total figure for Leeds residents to 1,162.

"Thoughts with loved ones, families & friends.

"Please stay at home"