Almost a third of Portsmouth residents have now had first Covid vaccine

Roughly 66,000 people in the city have been given their initial jabs so far, with a further 6,000 having had their second vaccine.

And it is thought a large proportion of the city's most vulnerable residents will be entitled to their second jab very soon - as the 12-week period between the two injections comes to an end.

Consultant in public health for Portsmouth Claire Currie, said people would be getting their second jab in a 'timely manner.'

Speaking at a virtual health, wellbeing and social care meeting she said: 'The programme started at the beginning of December - it was the 8th of December when the hub at QA Hospital opened - so the 12-week mark means that we are now starting on the second doses for those who received the first dose as part of the programme.

'As the weeks go by many more people will be having their second jab.

'We have high confidence people will be able to access their second jab in a timely manner.'

As reported, all care homes in the city have been offered the first jab .

Andy Biddle, the council's director of adult care, said there had been a ‘high uptake’ of vaccines in care homes, and as a result they have helped protect residents from recent outbreaks.

‘There have been two care homes where there have been outbreaks in recent times,’ he said.

‘One resident went to hospital but was discharged.

‘Anecdotally it has helped have a less serious impact with the vaccines.’

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The council's health and wellbeing boss, Councillor Matt Winnington, added said: 'I think the response from the various wings of the NHS in providing the vaccines has been absolutely fantastic.

‘I am sure my colleagues have heard the same feedback as me from residents who had it that they were well taken care of and it was a really smooth process. It's really worked extremely well.’

Currently those who have been offered a Covid vaccine include clinically vulnerable people, those over the age of 70 and frontline health and social care staff.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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