Yesterday, the Vaccines Minister gave an update to the House on the progress of the vaccine programme, urging everyone to continue the national efforts which are helping us on our route back to normality.

Whilst we are seeing coronavirus case rates falling, this remains a deadly virus. Successfully delivering our vaccination programme is our way out of this pandemic.

Thanks to the incredible effort of people up and down the county, over 10 million people have now received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, meaning almost 1 in 5 adults. Ensuring the most vulnerable in society are protected first, we have vaccinated 9 in 10 over 80s, almost 9 in 10 over 75s and over half of people in their 70s, meaning we are on track to meet our target of offering a vaccine to the 4 most vulnerable groups by mid-February.

With 400 million vaccines now on the stocks and 39 new vaccination sites this week alone, if we continue to encourage vaccine uptake and follow the rules, we are one step closer to coming out of the other side of this pandemic.

To view the full oral statement to Parliament by Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment on the progress of the vaccine programme, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/we-must-all-keep-following-the-steps-that-make-a-real-difference.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Essex                                  

A brand-new website has been launched which aims to offer residents of Essex a single, comprehensive and accurate source of information about Covid-19 and vaccinations.

This locally focused site will contain lots of useful information to inform and reassure people during this time, enabling them to protect their own and their families physical and mental wellbeing.

The new website will be updated regularly and contain the very latest information on the ongoing vaccination programme in order to give people clarity on this major situation. Visit the website here:  https://www.essexcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/.