Elderly care home residents receive first COVID-19 jab

January 22, 2021

Joint media release issued by

North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group and

Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group                                                                     

 

GP staff have visited around 70 elderly care homes in Kirklees to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to those who want it. 

Working together in groups, GP practices have provided the life-saving vaccine to residents and staff as part of the national roll-out, which is prioritising those most at risk from the virus.   

Dr Steve Ollerton, Chair of Greater Huddersfield CCG said: “This is really fantastic news.  We’ve been able to protect some of our most vulnerable residents and those who care for them from the virus.” 

Dr Khalid Naeem, Chair of North Kirklees CCG said: “GP practices have been working in the evenings and at weekends to deliver vaccinations to care homes.  I want to thank the primary care, CCG and local authority staff involved for the enormous effort they have made to get the vaccine out in such a short period of time.”

Paul Rowson, Manager of Ashworth Grange Care Home in Dewsbury said: “The past year has been a real challenge for everyone but we have always had faith that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the availability of a vaccine has been our continued hope that we will return to normal. 

“Dr Indira Kasibhatla and her team who came to complete the vaccinations were brilliant and the process was fast and efficient.  We are just so relieved to know that our residents will be protected from this virus, as that has been the most important thing to us throughout.”

Jessica Hibbins, Manager of Aden Lodge Care Home in Huddersfield said: ‘It was quite a nerve-racking yet exciting experience to be involved.

“Skelmanthorpe Family Doctors and Dearne Valley Health Centre were fantastic in communicating with us and administered the vaccine with great care and compassion. Our residents felt very safe and comfortable and are hoping this means they can hug their loved ones soon.  This is a great step forward in the fight against COVID-19.”

Residents and care home staff have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.   This should give good protection from coronavirus.  They will need to have a second dose in 12 weeks’ time, for longer lasting protection.

The roll out of vaccines continues across Kirklees with three pharmacy centres and a large-scale site at the John Smith’s Stadium due to open.  GP practices are also starting to deliver vaccinations to housebound patients in the highest risk groups.

Leader of Kirklees Council, Cllr Shabir Pandor, said: “It’s great news that some of our most vulnerable residents are getting a vaccination so quickly. My thanks and congratulations to everyone in the NHS and beyond for all their hard work in making this happen.

“Our council will do everything we can to support the vaccination programme to ensure everyone gets their jabs as quickly as possible.”

People living within 45 minutes of a large-scale centre may receive an invitation to attend for a vaccination. They will have the option to travel to one of these centres or wait for an appointment closer to home. Centres are currently open in Manchester and York with others including Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford planning to open soon.

Vaccines are being offered to those most at risk from the virus first, with more appointments being made available as supply increases.   Kirklees residents should not contact their GP practice or NHS about the vaccination. Instead they should wait until they are invited.   

 

Picture below: Ashworth Grange Care Home resident Ann Thompson (seated right) was amongst those to receive a first COVID-19 vaccination from her local primary care network.   Ann is pictured with Dr Indira Kasibhatla of Albion Mount Medical Practice (front right) and care home manager Paul Rowson (standing second from left).  Others pictured are Tracy Hiscoe, Deputy Manager; Sharon Troy, Care Manager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture below: Residents of Aden Lodge Care Home in Huddersfield, Sheena Stevens and Michael Gore have received their first COVID-19 vaccinations. 

 



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