Covid vaccination programme reaches three million milestone at LHCH
More than three million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been delivered across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Listen to BBC Radio Merseyside presenting live from LHCH (skip forward to 2:13:00)
Liverpool University student, Lauren Allwright, 22, received the three-millionth dose of vaccine against Covid-19 earlier today, June 21, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. She was presented with a gift from Jenine Cryle, a paramedic, who was the 5,000th person to receive a vaccination at the site in the first week of the programme.
In just six months, the three million doses have been provided, with an incredible 74% of adults in Cheshire and Merseyside now having had at least their first dose.
The milestone highlights the incredible efforts of the NHS and partners to roll out the vaccination programme. It also shows the commitment of staff and volunteers in delivering the programme and encouraging the public to get vaccinated.
This means more than 89% of 80-year-olds and above in Cheshire and Merseyside have now had both doses of the vaccine and 90% of those aged 60-64 have had their first dose. More than 94% of 65–69-year-olds have had their first jab and 84% of 50–54-year-olds. In the younger cohorts, around 75% of 40–49-year-olds and 51% of 30-39-year-olds have also had their first dose so far.
Everyone in Cheshire and Merseyside is urged to come forward for both their first and second dose, with everyone aged 18 or over now invited to be vaccinated.
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Lauren, a student at the University of Liverpool said: “I wanted to get the vaccine today to protect myself, family and friends. I usually spend a lot of time with my grandparents and it’s nice to know I’ll be helping to keep them safe too.”
Deputy Director of Vaccination and Testing for the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership, Robin Wiggs, said: “Breaking through the 3 million dose barrier gives us another opportunity to thank everyone involved in the vaccine programme for their hard work and dedication and also mark the fact that we continue to work at pace to make everyone as safe from Covid-19 as we possibly can.
“Seeing Lauren receive the 3 millionth dose of the vaccine is a very timely reminder this programme is not about numbers, it is about people, our loved ones, friends, colleagues, and families. Each one of these doses makes a real difference to people’s lives and our whole community.
“Despite this success, there is still a long way to go, and I would urge everyone to continue to do the sensible things around hand hygiene, social distancing and wearing a mask while we fight against the Delta variant of Covid-19. As we begin to open up to a more normal life, we all need to be as vigilant as ever.
“Even fully vaccinated people can pass on Covid-19 to others, so we still need to get the basics right and look after those we love and everyone around us. My thanks again go to everyone involved in delivering this vital vaccination programme and also those who have come forward to have the vaccine themselves.”