The Government has said that anyone whose duties require them to enter a registered care home, either for work or to volunteer, must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from 11 November. That means people have until next Thursday (16 September) to have their first jab so they can have their second dose before the November deadline.
People who have not had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will not be able to enter a care home to work or volunteer after 11 November, unless they are medically exempt.
The City of Wolverhampton Council's Executive Director of Families Emma Bennett and Director of Public Health John Denley have written to all council staff whose job role requires them to work within a care home, or to enter one as part of a planned visit and so are covered by this requirement.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are urging anyone whose duties require them to enter an adult care home to get the jab as soon as possible to ensure they meet the 11 November deadline.
“Care home residents are among the most vulnerable to Covid-19, which is why residents and staff were offered the vaccine as a priority at the start of the vaccination programme. It’s vital that we continue to protect residents and patients most at risk of this deadly virus, and getting both doses of the vaccine is the best way to do this.
“We have a range of walk-in vaccination sites across the local area, so you can get your vaccine at a time and place that suits you.”
Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Over 1,000 people in Wolverhampton tested positive for Covid-19 in the last week alone, so this virus hasn’t gone away.
“It’s reassuring that 90% of adult care home staff in Wolverhampton have already had the vaccine, and I would encourage the remainder – and anyone else who is required to go into a care home for work purposes – to get theirs as soon as possible, if they can.
“Please remember that, to be fully vaccinated by 11 November, you must have your first jab by 16 September, so time is of the essence.”
People can get their first or second jab without an appointment at walk-in clinics which are operating around Wolverhampton. For locations, times and dates plus vaccine type available, please visit Covid-19 vaccination. Vaccinations can also be booked online at NHS or by calling NHS 119.
For more information about the vaccine, including the answers to frequently asked questions, please visit Covid-19 Vaccine or NHS.
Latest figures show there were 393.3 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last 7 days. That means 1,034 people tested positive for the virus in that same period – though the true number of new cases will likely be higher.
