Leicestershire smashes one million vaccine milestone

The latest data puts the area at 1,068,296 jabs given out.

75,000 of those were done in the last week alone.

Over 70% of people have had their first dose while close to half of all adults have had both.

Executive Director for Integration and Transformation, Rachna Vyas, told Fosse107 the roll-out has been very smooth:

"The NHS, you give us a challenge and we always rise to it. We're one big family and we've come together to pull it off...it's an absolutely monumental effort."

You can here our full chat with Rachna here.

Caroline Trevithick, Deputy Chief Executive of the LLR clinical commissioning groups, said: 

“It’s such an achievement to reach this milestone and it’s a moment to reflect on all the work that has gone into this and say thank you to everyone who has helped to deliver the vaccine  in our area, as well as the public for coming forward for their vaccine. 

“It has been a real joint effort; as well as NHS staff there are hundreds of volunteers involved as vaccinators and in other clinical roles, as administrators, marshals, cleaners and site managers. I would also like to thank those who have organised conversations within their communities to discuss any concerns they have about the vaccine. Every person has enabled us to reach today’s milestone.

“The vaccine is our way out of the restrictions we’ve had on our lives and, with the variant of Covid-19 first identified in India now circulating in our area, we need to build on all the good progress we have made so far with the vaccine and make sure that everyone eligible is protected."

Earlier this week Caroline released a video also paying tribute to the vaccine volunteers. She stressed the importance of coming forward for the jab if you're eligible.

“I can’t emphasise strongly enough how important it is that everyone who is eligible comes  forward for the vaccine and that people make sure they get their second dose when it is due, in order to get the maximum protection. If you have previously been invited for the vaccine but have not yet had it done, please come forward now.”

You can find out more in-depth vaccine data here, or how to get yours here.