East London lagging behind in giving over-80s Covid vaccine

The most recent NHS figures show 63 per cent of east London over-80s had received their first dose by January 24, compared to about 90 per cent in some other parts of the country.

South-east London is the only area in England which has given the first dose to less of its over-80s population, at around 60 per cent.

The NHS hopes to give all over-70s, elderly care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers and those who are “clinically extremely vulnerable” their first dose by February 15.

It originally planned to vaccinate all older care home residents and staff by January 24 but was unable to do so.

Read more: Seven out of ten Redbridge over-80s given first Covid jab

On January 21, Redbridge Council’s cabinet member for health, Cllr Mark Santos, confirmed the borough had so far given around 70 per cent of over-80s their first dose.

He told a meeting of the full council they are “on track to have people in care homes done by the end of January or, if not, the first week of February”.

A spokesperson for east London NHS confirmed that it still aimed to meet the mid-February deadline to vaccinate the top four priority groups.

They said: “Staff are continuing to work to protect as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, with amazing support from our colleagues in local councils and community and voluntary groups.”

Residents are reminded by the NHS to wait to be contacted about their vaccine rather than reaching out for information.

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