Rochdale to ramp up vaccination programme over weekend after Indian variant detected in borough

Rochdale is to ramp up vaccination programme over the weekend in a bid to increase take-up and halt the spread of the virus.

Extra walk-in clinics are being put in place across the borough and there will also be a drive-thru site at Rochdale Football Club.

More than 16,000 residents in the highest priority groups have been offered the jab but are stilll to have their first dose.

Now they – and all over-18s –  are being encouraged to come forward so they are protected from the new variants spreading in some areas of the country.

No appointment is needed but people who are booked in elsewhere should stick to their existing dates.

Lower vaccination uptake coincides with higher Covid-19 transmission rates, so it is hoped the clinics will boost vaccine take-up – helping to prevent an increase in infections and hospitalisations.

Rochdale council leader Neil Emmott said the targeted approach was intended to keep the borough ‘one step ahead’ should a variant take hold in the area.

He said: “The evidence from Bolton shows that most people in hospital with Covid-19 had not had the vaccine.

"That is a sobering thought and another reason why everyone should take up the vaccine offer as soon as possible.

“Over 118,000 people in our borough have had at least one dose.

"I would urge residents not yet protected to come along and receive their first vaccination. 

“This is our only route out of the pandemic, so let’s all play our part to protect ourselves, our family, friends and the community.”

It comes after a small number of cases of the highly transmissible ‘Indian variant’ were found in a small number of recent test results in Rochdale.

However, Andrea Fallon, Rochdale’s director of public health, has reassured residents that the borough is in a ‘much better position’ than last year.

She said: “The vaccine is believed to be effective against this variant and those vaccinated are highly unlikely to become seriously ill. 

“New variants are a concern and we must be vigilant and keep a close eye on new cases and the number of people needing hospital treatment. 

“Whilst a concern we know that overall we are moving in the right direction and are reporting falling hospital cases and death rates.

"As the local economy opens up we would encourage people to be sensible and urge all eligible people to get vaccinated. 

“As the proportion of people vaccinated increases our risk decreases and that is the key to ending the pandemic locally and nationally.”

Ms Fallon also criticised the government for not adding India to the travel ‘red-list’ before April 23.

She said: “Clearly, the incidence of the virus was high in many parts of India, and it now seems probable that at the time in question when people travelled back from India it was unacceptably high. 

“Greater restrictions on such travel would have reduced infections and would have been in hindsight sensible.

"Community infections in non-travellers is now the route of spread, and anyone who suspects they may have the virus should isolate and do everything they can to reduce further spread.”

Ms Fallon, who also criticised the decision to ease lockdown at Christmas, added: “The hazard for Rochdale is not from people coming directly from India but is from community infections. 

“We believe areas close by with high rates of the variant are now taking the correct actions and this will reduce community infection and help Rochdale.”

She also urged those with concerns about the jab to come along and ‘have a chat with the council’s vaccination teams.

“We are looking for reasons to vaccinate people, not for reasons to turn people away,” she said.

“The more people who are vaccinated, the more we suppress the virus and protect each other.”

Her comments were echoed by Dr Chris Duffy, chair of NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

He said: “We are urging anyone who is aged 18 and over to come to one of our clinics this weekend and receive this vital protection from coronavirus. 

“This action is being taken to protect everyone in the Rochdale borough, to help stop the spread of the new variant and to make the vaccination clinics as accessible as possible for our residents.”

The clinics will be held at:

Wardleworth Community Centre, South Street, Rochdale, OL16 2EP (Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May, 10am-6pm)

Bowlee Park Community School, Windermere Rd, Middleton, M24 4LA (Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May, 10am-6pm

Rochdale Football Club, *drive-through site* in the car park off Sandy Lane, OL11 5DR (Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May, 10am-6pm)

Rochdale Infirmary, OL12 0NB (Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May 9am to 4pm) *The clinic can be accessed at the outpatients entrance on Quarry Street*

Kashmiri Youth Project, Belfield Road, Rochdale OL16 2UP (Sunday 23 May, 10am-6pm)

Further information can be found at: www.rochdale.gov.uk/covidvaccine

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