OXFORDSHIRE has finished the first round of Covid vaccinations in its care homes and is on course to jab all its most-vulnerable residents with their first dose by the middle of February.

The county council has confirmed that the first round of Covid 19 vaccinations has been carried out across Oxfordshire’s care homes.

A statement from the council said ‘GP practices, health care professionals and volunteers have all worked together to ensure that care home staff and residents received their first jabs before the government’s deadline of January 31’.

Across the 110 older peoples’ care homes in the county, more than 90 per cent of current residents and 72 per cent of staff have received their first jabs.

Tehmeena Ajmal, service director at Oxford Health, told the county’s health overview and scrutiny committee today those who had not yet received the jab in care homes were either ‘clinically unwell’ or in isolation after receiving a positive Covid test.

The council today confirmed that it is has exceeded the government’s target for residents’ vaccinations and that Oxfordshire is on course to meet the target for the top four priority groups to be vaccinated by February 15.

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Stephen Chandler, Corporate Director of Adult and Housing Services, said: “This is another great example of how Oxfordshire’s social care and healthcare systems are working in partnership to respond to the pandemic. Our thanks go to GP practices and everyone who has worked so hard to ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents are protected as quickly as possible.”

As part of a public health awareness drive, Oxfordshire residents are reminded that a vaccine only starts to become effective two to three weeks after being administered.

The advice says: “Although the vaccine is likely to prevent serious illness, there is as yet no firm proof that it will completely stop transmission of the virus.

“People are therefore urged to continue to abide by lockdown restrictions and follow public health guidance even after they have had their first or second jab, including practising social distancing, wearing a face mask and washing hands regularly.”

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