NHS begins delivering life-saving second doses of Covid vaccine for Derbyshire patients

The first wave of Derbyshire residents to receive the Covid-19 vaccine are now beginning to return for their all-important second injections.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

While people who have had one vaccine dose gain significant protection from serious illness, the second is thought to almost completely eliminate that risk.

More than quarter of a million county residents received a first dose in the first 70 days of the programme, and vaccination teams have been preparing carefully for the next cycle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dr Steve Lloyd, medical director at NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The second dose of vaccine is critical, as it provides even better protection for longer, and this is key to us all being able to return to a more normal way of life.”

The second dose of the vaccine provides a critical boost to immunity levels.The second dose of the vaccine provides a critical boost to immunity levels.
The second dose of the vaccine provides a critical boost to immunity levels.

“People should get this injection. Firstly it makes it much less likely you become seriously ill from Covid-19. It’s potentially life-saving. Secondly, new research suggests that this increased protection may potentially reduce transmission of the virus to others.”

He added: “GP-led sites and the hospital hubs at Royal Derby Hospital and Chesterfield Royal were the first to begin vaccinating back in December, so they will be leading the way with the second doses as well.”

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the second vaccine appointment will take place in the same location that patients received their first, and use the same brand out of the various vaccines which are now in circulation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Teams will also once again be heading out to care homes to provide second doses to residents and staff, as well as visiting housebound patients.

Dr Penny Blackwell, a GP at Hannage Brook Medical Centre in Wirksworth, said: “Our teams, and all those working in the Peaks and Dales, often have to get to some pretty remote places to deliver the vaccines.

“Rural areas have suffered a lot during the pandemic, with people frightened to go to hospital for fear of Covid-19 and facing hardship ranging from loneliness and depression to delayed treatment for serious illnesses.

“Being able to deliver these second doses is a real privilege as it gets our patients one step closer to returning to their normal lives.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together.” – Nancy Fielder, editor.