Borough's first Covid-19 vaccine given

The Covid-19 vaccination is only available through the NHS to eligible groups and it is a free vaccination

The first Covid-19 vaccination was administered in the Rochdale borough yesterday (Tuesday 15 December) at 5.45pm.

Over 300 people aged over 80 are expected to receive the jab at the council’s Number One Riverside offices today, Wednesday (16 December).

People most at risk from the complications of Covid-19 are being offered the vaccine first. When more vaccine becomes available, the vaccines will be offered to other people at risk as soon as possible.

The vaccination is only available through the NHS to eligible groups and it is a free vaccination.

The vaccinations taking place at Number One Riverside is a separate rollout to the vaccinations at hospitals for admitted patients and outpatients in their care.

You will be contacted by Rochdale Health Alliance or your GP surgery when you're called to receive the vaccine. You must have an appointment to receive the vaccine. You cannot just turn up at one of the vaccination service centres expecting to be immunised.

Once you have got an appointment to receive the vaccine, you should expect to be given a second appointment. You should get a record card with your next appointment written on it, for an appointment in 21 or 28 days’ time. It is important to have both doses of the same vaccine to give you the best protection.

Dr Mohammed Jiva, a GP in Middleton and chair of Rochdale Health Alliance has recorded a video showing patients the set up at Riverside for the vaccinations.

For more information, please visit:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/covidvaccine