‘One hundred days and 430,000 doses later' – A look back on the Covid vaccine programme in Derbyshire
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The first Covid-19 vaccine doses were administered at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Royal Derby Hospital on December 8, just six days after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had been formally approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Now, 100 days and 430,000 doses later, Derbyshire has a total of 25 vaccination sites which range from GP practices and community halls to a converted theatre and the huge mass vaccination centre at Derby Arena.
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Hide AdSteve Lloyd, executive medical director of Joined Up Care Derbyshire, said the 100-day milestone was a moment to reflect on an incredible effort by many people across the county.
He said: “The last 100 days have seen us roll out an incredibly effective vaccination programme to hundreds of thousands of people, and I want to thank the thousands of staff and volunteers who have contributed to this.
“From those on the front line delivering the vaccine to those organising and co-ordinating, it has been an amazing effort. Volunteers have streamed in to help, many of them former staff coming out of retirement, and they have been essential.
“It’s also important that we pay tribute to all those in our hospitals, GP practices and in community settings who are still delivering essential care."
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Hide Ad“I’m very proud of all their efforts on behalf of patients, and it’s encouraging that we are 100 days closer to getting back to some sort of normal life.”
The first person to receive their vaccination in a primary care setting was 101-year-old Robert Stopford-Taylor at Stubley Medical Practice, in Dronfield, on December 17.
Joined Up Care Derbyshire also noted how vaccination sites were undeterred by Storm Christoph on January 22, or heavy snow in southern Derbyshire in the following days, with vaccinations continuing thanks to the efforts of staff and volunteers.
They said another highlight of the past 100 days was the visit to Derby Arena by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on February 8.