The NHS has begun vaccinating patients against coronavirus at dozens of hospital hubs this week, and staff at Stepping Hill Hospital are incredibly proud to be a part of the biggest immunisation programme in history.

People aged 80 and over as well as care home workers are the first to receive the jab, along with NHS workers who are at higher risk.

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust staff have worked hard to prepare for the launch of the programme, in areas including pharmacy, HR, Occupational health, procurement, IT, estates and nursing.

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said: “Coronavirus is the greatest health challenge in NHS history, taking loved ones from us and disrupting every part of our lives.

“Hospitals have now cared for more than 190,000 seriously ill Covid-19 patients and have seen beds fill up again in recent weeks.

“The deployment of this vaccine marks a decisive turning point in the battle with the pandemic. NHS vaccination programmes which have successfully helped overcome tuberculosis, polio, and smallpox, now turn their focus to coronavirus.

“NHS staff are proud to be leading the way as the first health service in the world to begin vaccination with this Covid jab.”

We have started to invite over 80s in for a jab and are working with care home providers to book their staff in to vaccination clinics. 

Any appointments not used for these most at-risk groups are being used for healthcare workers who are at highest risk of serious illness from Covid. All those vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.

Karen James OBE, Chief Executive, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud to be one of the first 50 Trusts to deliver the covid-19 vaccine to our most vulnerable patients, frontline care and NHS workers.  The impact of covid-19 can never be under-estimated, therefore we welcome the opportunity to take part in the largest vaccination programme our country has ever seen.  I would urge anyone who is contacted to come forward for their jab.”

The first patient in Stockport to receive the vaccination at Stepping Hill Hospital was Shirley McConnell, 86 from Romiley. Shirley received the vaccine whilst at the hospital for a routine eye clinic appointment. Shirley said “I think it’s a wonderful thing the hospital are doing in giving these vaccinations, and I was very happy to have the vaccine to help keep me safe.” 

The first care home worker to receive the vaccination was Sara Lydon who works at the Bramhall Manor care home. Sarah said “I was happy to be one of the first to get the vaccination. I think it’s very important for people working in care homes to get vaccinated to keep themselves safe and help get life back to normal.”

NHS national medical director, Professor Stephen Powis has warned that the roll out of a vaccine will be a marathon not a sprint.

The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at -70C before being thawed out and can only be moved four times within that cold chain before being used.

GPs and other primary care staff have also been put on standby to start delivering the jab. A number of GP-led primary care networks will begin doing so next week with more practices in more parts of the country joining in on a phased basis during December.

Vaccination centres treating large numbers of patients in sporting venues and conference centres will subsequently stand up when further supplies of vaccine come on stream.