Press release issued by North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group
More than a third of north Cumbria’s eligible population have now had a vaccination for COVID-19.
109,956 vaccinations have been given at hospital hubs and through our GP teams working together in Primary Care Networks.
The latest verified figures from NHS England published today show:
- 70,326 over 65s have had their first vaccine
- 35,178 under 65s have had their first vaccine
- 2,314 over 65s have had their second vaccine
- 2,138 under 65s have had their second vaccine
This means 92.9% of the over 65 population in north Cumbria have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
The verified figures have been published by NHS England today (4 March 2021).
The majority of vaccinations have been delivered through our Primary Care Networks – groups of GP Practices working together.
This has involved GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, healthcare assistants and admin teams working together along with volunteers from our communities to deliver the vaccine, safely, locally and quickly.
We are following the guidance outlined by the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI).
We are working towards the national deadlines of all over 50s being offered their first vaccination by the middle of April and all adults by the end of July.
Dr Richard Massey is the GP lead for the Keswick and Solway Primary Care Network said: “There has been a phenomenal effort from all of our General Practice teams across north Cumbria. Practices have worked together to administer vaccines as quickly as we have had supplies delivered.
“We haven’t had many people refusing the vaccine, in fact it has been the opposite with people keen to get as quickly as they are eligible. It has been brilliant to be involved in a programme on this scale and one where people are so happy to be called.
“Thank you to all of our teams – whether they are GPs, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, admin teams, healthcare assistants or one of the many volunteers who have come forward and given up their time to help.
“Thank you to our patients who have followed the guidance, have turned up when they have been called, and in many ways been so enthusiastic and supportive.”
The vaccine supply is allocated nationally and sometimes our PCNs get more than expected – and sometimes less than they would like. All the vaccine supplied is delivered to patients as quickly as possible.
Ed Tallis is director of primary care for NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). He said: “This has really shown the best of the NHS and our communities working together. It has been a real team effort.
“We know it hasn’t been without its challenges, but on the 4th of December we hadn’t given a vaccine and by the 4th of March we have now delivered almost 110,000 vaccinations providing protection to more than a third of our population.
“We just ask that people remain patient. We’ll have called all of our over 50s for their first vaccine by the middle of April and all adults by the end of July.”
In north Cumbria we have two hospital hubs - concentrating largely on frontline health and social care staff. They will now focus on delivering the second vaccine to those previously vaccinated there.
We don’t yet have a Large Vaccination Centre (LVC) – although plans to open one are developing –so the vast majority of our vaccinations have been done through our eight Primary Care Networks vaccinating at hubs, smaller practice clinics and visiting care homes and the housebound.
Some people will have been invited to book through the national booking service. Our nearest LVCs for those who are able to travel are in Kendal and Ulverston. Two community pharmacy sites will go live next week – in Carlisle and in Workington - with more expected shortly. These will be available to book through the national booking service
We are working to the national deadlines:
- All over 50s by the middle of April
- All adults by the end of July