Patients across Craven and the Bradford district have been receiving the first local doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
This week at Skipton Hospital, patients from Wharfedale, Airedale & Craven Alliance (WACA) practices, which includes IG Medical and Ilkley & Wharfedale, received the first vaccine.
Irene Harvey, age 80, was one of the first people to receive their coronavirus vaccination on Tuesday and said, “I’ve been staying at home (self-isolating) since March, and only go out very occasionally. I was able to join a support bubble with my older daughter, Ellie, when restrictions allowed but that’s meant I’ve not been able to see any other family.
“This vaccine is a real lifeline for me as I have Alzheimer’s and not being able to see all my family in person has been hard for us all and, sadly, has not helped my condition.
“My youngest daughter, Anne, is expecting a baby in the summer and it would mean the world to me to be able hold my new grandchild rather than seeing them on a computer screen. I’m looking forward to having my booster in three weeks so that I can see all my family – who I haven’t seen for months – and also get out more again in the New Year.”
Irene, who helped to run a family business before she retired, moved to Burley in Wharfedale several years ago to be nearer to her family.
GP practice ‘hubs’ located across the district have today started giving vaccinations to patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospital as an outpatient, and/or have been discharged home after a hospital stay. Some patients are also being offered vaccines at Bradford Royal Infirmary, if they are unable to travel to one of the hubs.
Dr James Thomas, clinical chair of NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group said: “I would like to give a huge thank you to all those patients who have taken up the opportunity to come and have their coronavirus vaccination. It’s a really exciting moment to be here at the surgery today giving these life-saving vaccinations. The vaccine will make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“I would also like to say thank you to my colleagues across the NHS who continue to do an incredible job and have made a huge collective effort over the last few weeks to make sure we’re ready to deliver this historic vaccination programme.”
Dr Nick Clarke, a GP for IG Medical and clinical director for the Wharfedale, Airedale and Craven Alliance (WACA) federation of GP practices said: “We are really proud to be one of the first places to be able to deliver the coronavirus vaccine to patients. When we have been contacting patients, the reaction to being invited for the vaccine has been overwhelmingly positive, it’s a real lifeline for some of the most vulnerable and isolated people in our communities. Our NHS colleagues across Bradford district and Craven have really pulled together to get this up and running, thank you to everyone involved.”
The NHS is asking people to wait to be contacted when it’s their turn to be vaccinated. Those invited should attend all appointments offered to ensure they receive the full dose of the vaccine. Priority is being given to those people who are most at risk from the virus first. Medics say it is still important to follow all the guidelines to stop the spread of coronavirus, even if you have had the vaccine. That includes practicing social distancing, washing your hands for longer and more often, and wearing a face covering when in public places.
It is still important to follow all the guidelines to stop the spread of coronavirus, even if you have had the vaccine. That includes practicing social distancing, washing your hands for longer and more often, and wearing a face covering when in public places.
For more information about the coronavirus vaccine, visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
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