‘A hugely remarkable triumph’: 130,000 people in Sheffield have now had their first Covid-19 vaccine

This includes people over 70-years-old, those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, frontline health and social care workers, and care home residents.

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From this week, people from the next two priority groups will be offered the covid jab.

The NHS will start contacting people in the 65 to 69 age group and those aged 16 to 64 with an underlying health condition.

Alun Windle, chief nurse and Covid vaccination lead at NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “All of our efforts have gone into protecting those who are most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill from the virus and our frontline health and social care staff.

“We are so pleased that we have been able to vaccinate so many people in a matter of weeks.

“Thank you to the hard work of everyone involved and our primary care networks who have worked tirelessly to vaccinate patients.

“The vaccine is so important in our fight against this virus and we’re looking forward to reaching more milestones as the vaccination programme in Sheffield progresses.”

Councillor George Lindars-Hammond, Sheffield Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, added: “The vaccination programme is a vital part in our fight against coronavirus and for our city to have successfully vaccinated this number of people is a hugely remarkable triumph.

“I am truly heartened by the efforts of everybody working around the clock to make this programme a success and my biggest thanks go out to everyone who has played a part.

“The hard work is not over yet and we will continue to support the NHS in any way we can to ensure the next milestone in the programme is achieved as proudly.”

Sheffield was the first place in Yorkshire to hold a vaccination clinic in a mosque.

Farana Akhtar, who chose to attend, said: “I’ve had the virus and it’s scary because you are worried that your health will worsen at any moment and you will end up in hospital.

“I did have side effects from the vaccination – but not everyone does.

“I was achy and shivery for about 24 hours but it’s nothing compared to being ill with the virus.”

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