An extraordinary year – as Bury’s vaccination centres reach 200,000 jabs

Health services across Bury are celebrating a magnificent team effort as the fight against Covid-19 passes a significant milestone.

Local doctors and their teams have just given the 200,000th vaccination to Bury residents in just 10 months.

Co-ordinated by no fewer than 25 GP practices located right across the borough, more than 200 staff were mobilised to carry out the vaccination programme: including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, admin staff, paramedics and health care assistants, not to mention staff seconded from other local organisations and the many marshals and volunteers who responded to the challenge.

Vaccination clinics continue to be held at the Elizabethan Suite, Bury; Prestwich Walk-In Centre; Ramsbottom Civic Suite; and, more recently for booster jabs, Radcliffe United Reformed Church, which has replaced Bealey’s Hospital site. Various pop-up sites were also held across the borough to increase vaccination rates in areas where numbers were lower.

In total, around 99,000 first doses have been given, with 93,000 second doses and 8,000 boosters so far.

Bury’s overall vaccination total is around 260, as some residents have gone outside the borough to regional centres for their jabs or received them at a local hospital.

The 25 GP practices are Blackford House MC; Fairfax Group Practice; Garden City MC; Greyland MC; Huntley Mount MC; Knowsley MC; Longfield MP; Mile Lane HC; Monarch MC; Peel GPs; Radcliffe MP; Ramsbottom HC; Redbank Group Practice; Ribblesdale MP; Rock Healthcare; St Gabriel’s MC; The Birches MC; The Elms MC; The Uplands MC; Tower Family Healthcare; Townside Surgery; Unsworth MC; Walmersley Road Practice; Whittaker Lane MC; Woodbank Surgery.

Local GP Rachel Hubber, clinical director for Bury Primary Care Network, said: “This year has been extremely challenging and rewarding in equal measure. To see local GP practices come together at short notice alongside other health colleagues and to be supported throughout by volunteers and the local community has been a tremendous achievement. We’re all proud to have been a part of the biggest mass vaccination programme in the country’s history.

“I’d like to thank every single member of our extended teams, staff and volunteers alike, who have all played a vital role in giving the people of Bury the protection they need from this deadly virus.

“Thanks also to the people of Bury, who have come forward in such numbers to be vaccinated. By doing so, they have not just kept themselves safe, but also their families, friends and colleagues.

“There have been many stories which are both heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time. One lady, aged over 90, came for her vaccination just one week after her husband died of Covid. She said: “It might have got him, but it won’t get me”.

“And we must never forget the 600 people from our borough who have succumbed to this terrible virus and our thoughts are with those they leave behind.”

The clinics are still as busy as ever and are now delivering Covid boosters (Phase 3) and flu vaccines along with the continued offer of first and second doses for those that haven’t yet taken up the offer. It’s not too late!

Residents are invited to ‘kill two birds with one stone’ by getting their Covid booster and flu jabs at the same time.

The four vaccination sites - the Elizabethan Suite in Bury, Ramsbottom Civic Hall, Prestwich Walk-in Centre, and Radcliffe United Reformed Church – are administering both vaccinations to eligible people by appointment only.

Covid boosters will be offered to residents who had their second dose of the vaccine at least six months ago. People will be invited in priority order, like the earlier phases of the vaccination programme, meaning that the most vulnerable will receive theirs first.

Free flu jabs are available to everyone over 50 and those who have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or COPD. Health and care workers are also eligible.

Dr Hubber is keen that patients come forward to get their flu jab when invited to do so, saying: “Anyone who has had flu knows that it’s not just a bad cold - it can be very serious. Getting the vaccine will help protect you and reduce the chance of the virus spreading. Please come along when invited and get your flu jab and Covid boosters together.”