One million people in Essex receive their first Covid-19 vaccination

This weekend saw the millionth person in Essex – over half the county’s population – given their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Essex’s Covid-19 vaccination programme reached a major milestone this weekend, breaking the one million mark of residents receiving their first dose.

The vaccination programme in Essex has been delivered apace across 11 vaccination centres in addition to doses of each of the three approved vaccines being given via Essex’s hospitals, GP surgeries and some community pharmacies.

Cllr John Spence, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, said:

“To reach the millionth resident is a great milestone and a cause for celebration. This is also a testimony to the hard work of NHS partners, thousands of volunteers, and the readiness of our citizens. 

“However, I will not rest until every eligible resident has had their second jab and something like normality is back for the long term.”

Anthony McKeever, Executive Lead Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership and Joint Accountable Officer for its five CCGs, said:

“This is a fantastic milestone and residents from across the county continue to come forward to receive their first and second doses of the vaccine.

“With all adults now receiving their vaccine and adults over 40 years old able to bring their second dose forward to 8 instead of 12 weeks, this is the final push to protect our residents and reduce the impact of COVID.”

One of the thousands of people who received their vaccination in recent days is week is Andrew Wood, aged 20, who had his vaccine (Pfizer) at The Lodge, Runwell.

Andrew said: 

“I want to do what I can to protect others and support the NHS. Most of my family work in the health service so I’ve seen the impact that COVID has had on so many people.

“I donated plasma after recovering from COVID-19 last Autumn, and booked to have my first vaccine dose as soon as I became eligible. I’ll be back in a few weeks for my second dose.”

The hard work will continue in Essex as we expect another busy few weeks vaccinating those over the age of 18. Everyone is expected to be offered both jabs by mid-October.

All adults can now book their vaccination online via the National Booking Service, by calling 119 or at some GP practices. ECC is urging all residents to take-up the vaccine and has addressed some of the common myths about them.

It’s important that people continue following Covid-19 protective measures despite meeting this milestone because of the recent rapid increase in the number of cases caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant. This is now the dominant Covid-19 variant across the UK.

Simple actions such as maintaining distance wherever possible with people you do not live with, frequent handwashing and wearing a face covering if you are able to, are easy habits that should by now be an integral part of everyone’s daily routine.

If you don’t have Covid-19 symptoms, regular self-testing is also vital. Rapid test kits are freely available across Essex. Without symptoms, getting tested regularly is the only way to know if you have Covid-19 and by self-isolating immediately if you test positive, you will not unknowingly spread the virus to family and friends. There is support available if you have to self-isolate and are unable to go out to work or work from home.

Remember, if you do have Covid-19 symptoms, you and everyone you live with must self-isolate immediately and take a free PCR test.

We’re all relying on each other to stay safe and by continuing to do these simple actions, as well as getting both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine when invited to, we can Keep Covid in Check.