Vaccine uptake in Westminster is a “grave concern” as rate is 20 per cent lower than national average
By Hannah Neary, Local Democracy Reporter
A London borough is deeply concerned about low uptake of the coronavirus vaccine among its residents – as just 72 people were vaccinated in one August day.
Westminster City council said the borough critically needs resources for the vaccine programme as the number of people getting jabbed has dropped significantly.
A council spokesman said: “As Central London’s economy reopens, we simply cannot be in this position.
“As a council we are working closely with our NHS colleagues and doing what we can, but our vaccination rates remain of grave concern.”
Just 72 people were given their fist dose of the vaccine in the borough on August 15 according to Public Health England compared to 1,146 residents on June 15.
Over 39 million people in England have received their first dose of the vaccine and over 34 million have had a second dose.
The latest data shows 57.2 per cent of residents in Westminster have had their first jab – 22 per cent lower than the national average, 79. 2 per cent.
Figures also show low uptake of a second dose of the jab – 48.6 per cent of Westminster residents have received the second jab, compared to the national average of 70.2 per cent.
Council leader Rachael Robathan wrote to Health Secretary Sajid Javid on 22 July, asking the Department of Health to intervene with the borough’s vaccine programme.
The Department of Health told the BBC it will respond to the letter “in due course”.
A spokesperson for the NHS in North West London said it has boosted resources in Westminster and worked with the council to encourage people to get jabbed through door knocking, community events, and creating extra pop-up clinics.
They added: “We recognise that vaccination take-up in Westminster has not been as high as we would have liked.
“We are continuing to offer vaccination to the unvaccinated population and we are now looking at new ‘hyper local’ initiatives in Westminster such as vaccination clinics in night clubs and in retail outlets, to continue to encourage uptake.”
“We hope this more localised approach will improve take up. For both the NHS and Westminster City Council, the wellbeing of our residents is paramount.”
Residents can get vaccinated by their GP and in local pharmacies.
The borough is also looking to boost the number of pharmacies offering jabs.
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