75,000 people in the borough have received first Covid-19 vaccination

Date published: 12 March 2021

More than 75,000 people in the Rochdale borough have now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as of Friday (12 March).

Residents who are aged 60-64, those aged 16 and over with long term conditions and carers (the main carer of an elderly or disabled person) are the priority groups currently being invited for a vaccine at the local vaccination centres.

The national NHS vaccination programme is now inviting people aged 56 to 59 to book a Covid-19 jab via the national booking service at a mass vaccination centre or one of the pharmacy-led services across the country.

Letters for people in this age group, offering them the vaccine, started being delivered to homes across the country this week. For residents in the Rochdale borough, the nearest mass vaccination centre is at the Manchester Tennis and Football Club at the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.

Residents in the Rochdale borough in groups one to five - over 65s, the clinically extremely vulnerable, health and social care workers - are being invited to phone or email to book an appointment for their first dose of a vaccine.

Residents aged 65 or over, those who have been advised to shield by the government (the clinically extremely vulnerable), and health and social care workers who have not yet received an invitation for a vaccine, and are registered with a GP in the borough (Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Milnrow and Rochdale), can now book an appointment at one of the four vaccination centres in the borough by calling 0300 303 0355 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm) or emailing hmrccg.hmr.enquiries@nhs.net.

 

 

Progress of local vaccination programme and care home visiting

Almost 90% of people in priority groups one to four (those aged over 70, care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers and people who are clinically extremely vulnerable) have received their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Those who received their first doses 12 weeks ago are now being invited to receive their second vaccine.

In an update to councillors this week, chief executive of Rochdale Council, Steve Rumbelow said: "More than 75,000 of our residents have now been vaccinated and close to 90 per cent of people in priority groups one to four (people aged over 70, care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers and people who are clinically extremely vulnerable) have had at least one dose.

"Another pop-up vaccination clinic was held this week; this time at Spotland Methodist Church in Rochdale where close to 200 people received first doses. Further pop-up clinics are planned over the next few weeks in areas with lower take-up. The next will be at the Moss Street Youth Centre on Tuesday 16 March from 1pm to 3pm. The clinic is for anyone aged over 60 or 18 to 60-year-olds with a chronic health condition (diabetes, for example). We are also looking at what additional work we can do in areas with lower take-up, which is likely to include engagement and communication activity.

"There are currently no issues with vaccination supply."

On care homes and resumption of permitted vistors, Mr Rumbelow said: "The vaccination rate among care home staff is increasing steadily. The ban on care home visiting was lifted on Monday and since then 30 homes have started close contact visiting, which must only be done following a negative test and with personal protection equipment (PPE) worn.

"A further four homes are due to start [allowing visiting] next week and we have been promoting some very positive images of visits that have taken place this week. I feel it’s worth reminding you that care homes are still having to manage outbreaks of the disease and currently nine are closed because they have positive cases."
 

Read more: Care home residents to be allowed one regular visitor from 8 MarchPublished: 22 February 2021

Return to school for children

Part one of the first step of the government 'roadmap' out of lockdown included schools reopening to all pupils this week.

Mr Rumbelow said: "A big focus of this week has obviously been the majority of pupils returning to schools – the first major milestone in the lockdown exit roadmap.

"Attendance in primary schools has been over 90% this week, which is very encouraging. The figure is lower for our secondary schools as most are doing staggered start dates for different year groups as they work to introduce the new testing regime for pupils.

"We have had reports for a small number of classroom bubbles being sent home following positive tests but this was to be expected and is being monitored by our schools team who are offering their full support to head teachers."

 

 

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Case numbers in the borough are still coming down but the rate for the Rochdale borough is the highest in Greater Manchester and one of the highest rates in the UK, with 117 cases per 100,000 people being reported for the week ending 5 March, down from 163 cases per 100,000 the week before.

In his update to councillors, Mr Rumbelow said: "With the return to schools it is possible that the rate may go up again with a small fall afterwards. This fluctuating pattern is likely to be with us for a while."

The age group with the most new cases is 30-39 year-olds and the wards with the most cases include Wardle & West Littleborough, Milnrow & Newhey, Milkstone & Deeplish, North Middleton and Kingsway wards.

 

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Who is eligible?

Phase 2 of the vaccination programme will be prioritised in order of age, once all at-risk groups in phase 1 have been offered at least one dose. The decision by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) was announced last month (26 February).

There have been calls for phase 2 to prioritise certain professions, eg teachers and police officers - but this has been rejected by the JCVI who said that priority based on jobs would be "more complex" and could slow down the programme.

Phase 2

• all those aged 40 to 49 years
• all those aged 30 to 39 years
• all those aged 18 to 29 years

 

Read more: Phase two of the Covid-19 vaccination programme to be determined by agePublished: 26 February 2021

The priority groups that are in phase one of the vaccination programme include everyone aged 50 or above, those with underlying health conditions and health care workers.

• Group 1 - residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
• Group 2 - people aged 80 years and over, and frontline health and social care workers
• Group 3 - people aged 75-79
• Group 4 - people aged 70-74, and high risk people aged 16 and over (the clinically extremely vulnerable)
• Group 5 - people aged 65-69
• Group 6 - people over 16 with long term conditions and carers (the main carer of an elderly or disabled person)
• Group 7 - people aged 60-64
• Group 8 - people aged 55-59
• Group 9 - people aged 50-54

The number of people in the Rochdale borough in these nine priority groups is believed to be around 120,000.

Locally, residents aged 60-64, those aged 16-64 in at-risk groups, and carers of older and disabled people are the groups currently being invited for a vaccine.

 

 

Lifting lockdown

Last month, Boris Johnson outlined the government's four step plan to lift England's lockdown. The 'roadmap' covers everything from reopening schools to opening shops, hairdressers, pubs, gyms and cinemas.

Part one of the first step will be that schools will reopen to all pupils from Monday 8 March. Part two of the first step will take effect on 29 March when outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed and the restrictions on organised outdoor sport will be relaxed.
 

Read more: Govt 'roadmap' out of lockdown to start with the reopening of schools for all pupils from 8 MarchPublished: 22 February 2021

 

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Where to be vaccinated?

The borough has four community vaccination centres in operation; the site at Number One Riverside can get up to 1,250 vaccinations completed per day (depending on supply). Vaccinations are also being administered at Rochdale Infirmary five days a week.

Residents may be invited to have the vaccination at the Greater Manchester NHS Vaccination Centre at the Etihad Campus in East Manchester, one of the national large-scale vaccination sites.

The Greater Manchester centre is an additional option for people, who, once they have been contacted to make an appointment, can book through the national booking service online or over the phone. If it is not convenient for you to travel so far for a vaccination, you can opt to wait to be invited to attend one of the local vaccination centres in the Rochdale borough instead.

The local vaccination programme is being run by groups of GPs with the support of the council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

When it is your turn to receive the vaccine, you will be contacted by Rochdale Health Alliance or your GP surgery and invited to go for your appointment. If you’re not registered with a GP, you will need to register with one.

You must have an appointment to receive the vaccine. You cannot just turn up at one of the vaccination service centres.

Answers to key questions around the vaccination process can be found at:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/covidvaccine

 

A FAST test programme was set up in the borough in January, with four test sites across the borough.

Anyone who cannot work from home or comes into regular contact with the public is encouraged to take up this offer of new Find And Stop Transmission (FAST) testing to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other residents.

The FAST testing programme, which use lateral flow tests, aims to identify those who unknowingly have the virus as they have no symptoms – otherwise known as asymptomatic.

FAST tests are only for people showing no symptoms. You must not attend if you have any symptoms. Tests are free and there is no need to book you can simply turn up at one of the sites across the borough:

• Rochdale – Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN
• Heywood – Heywood Sports Village, West Starkey Street, Heywood, OL10 4TW (both a walk in site and a drive-through site)
• Middleton – Bowlee Sports Centre, Windermere Road, Middleton, M24 4LA
• Pennines – Hare Hill Bowling Club, Townhouse Road Littleborough, OL15 9BG

All sites are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm at weekends.

If you have Covid-19 symptoms please do not attend one of the FAST test sites. You should book a test online or by phoning 101.

• www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

 

 

The borough has three local test centres:

• Rochdale - in the car park at Rochdale Leisure Centre, Entwisle Road, Rochdale OL16 2HZ
• Middleton - in the marquee on the Market Place Car Park next to Middleton Arena, Old Hall Street, Middleton M24 1AG
• Heywood - Heywood Civic Centre, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW

You must drive, walk or cycle to the site - do not use a taxi or public transport. If this is not possible, you'll need to order yourself a home test.

Bookings for 8am-1pm can be booked from 8pm the night before. Bookings from 1pm-8pm can be booked from 10am that day.