Community-based Covid-19 vaccinations to begin in Rochdale next week

Community-based Covid-19 vaccinations are to begin in Rochdale next week.

Care home workers and those aged over 80 will receive the jab at the council’s Number One Riverside offices from Wednesday (16 December).

It is understood letters inviting people in these priority groups have already been sent out, and care workers will also be advised by their managers.

This is a separate rollout to the vaccinations happening at local hospitals across the country for admitted patients and outpatients in their care.

Bosses are stressing that it is not a walk in-service and people should not turn up expecting to be immunised. Those in other high-risk groups will be contacted in due course.

Preparation work is due to be completed over the weekend, including the installation of new storage and IT facilities at the town centre office, in Smith Street.

Rochdale council chief executive Steve Rumbelow has welcomed the news –  but also sounded a note of caution.

He said:  “This is an important milestone, a small step forward and the start of our path back to normal life. 

“However, there is still a long way to go and it’s important to remember that the first dose of the vaccine does not give protection, that anyone vaccinated next week will not get their second dose until early January and the vaccination will not be fully effective until a few days after that. 

“In the meantime, we must continue to urge caution and follow the Covid-19 guidance, to avoid the risk of infection and protect the elderly and vulnerable.”

Infection rates in Rochdale are continuing to fall significantly, and currently stand at just over 200 cases per 100,000 people. However, this is still the second highest figure in Greater Manchester.

Mr Rumbelow added: “We have a long way to go, as the work to immunise thousands of people across the borough begins, but we are heading in the right direction.”

The Riverside offices are well served by public transport links, with a Metrolink stop just yards from the building. There is also free parking available at the town hall car park.

It is understood arrangements will be made for people who may have difficulty travelling or who are housebound.

A secondary booster jab will be given 21 days after people receive their first injection.

Nationwide, vaccinations will be distributed based on a priority system with older people, NHS and care staff being vaccinated first.

This will be followed by at-risk medical groups and then the population at large.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service