Covid-19 shots offered to all older residents of care homes in England, claims NHS 

Summary

• The National Health Service has said that official figures will confirm that the coronavirus vaccine has been delivered to every old care home resident in England.
• UK PM Boris Johnson has called this a significant milestone of the national vaccination programme.
• A record 598,389 first Covid shots were administered across the nation on Saturday. 

The National Health Service (NHS) has announced that the vaccine to prevent Covid-19 has been offered to the residents of all eligible care homes in England. The exact official figures will be released later on Monday. PM Boris Johnson has called this a crucial milestone in the nation’s mission to vaccinate the most vulnerable.  

(Image source: ©Kalkine Group 2020)

With one of the highest Covid-19 deaths internationally, the UK is one of the first nations to roll out its vaccination programme. In January, the PM had said that he expected the vaccination of care home residents and workers to be finished by the end of January.  

While the number of coronavirus cases in the British hospitals is still very high, nearly 8.98 million people have been administered with the first Covid vaccine dose, the PM said, insisting that vaccines remained the country’s main route out of the pandemic. More than half of the people who have received the first jab have also got their second dose, PM office data stated.  

The UK government has promised to inoculate its most vulnerable population by mid-February, and it aims to administer a shot to each adult by autumn this year. The most vulnerable group has been defined to include people aged 70 or more, care home residents and caretakers, and frontline care staff.    

On Saturday, 30 January, a record 598,389 first Covid shots were administered across the nation. 

The NHS England said that the coronavirus shots were offered to more than 10,000 care homes with older residents. But visits to a small number of homes were deferred due to safety reasons during the local outbreaks. These places will be vaccinated as soon as the NHS staff is allowed in.  

Dr. Nikki Kanani, primary care director, NHS England, said that it was a privilege to vaccinate the inoculate the vulnerable care home residents and their care taking staff. The vaccine will give them hope and protection against the deadly disease, he added.  

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive officer, NHS England, was happy to note that the inoculation plan was off to a flying start due to an excellent partnership among the doctors, nurses, and the care homes. In fact, after loss of life in many care homes, it came as a great news that all the residents and staff have been vaccinated.  

However, the next pertinent question is when and how can these care homes restart visits, said Fiona Carragher, director of research and influencing, Alzheimer's Society.