Having your Covid-19 vaccination is not a passport to freedom
Gateshead Council are urging residents not to be complacent once they've received their Covid-19 vaccination.
The rollout of the vaccination programme is progressing well across Gateshead, with priority groups, including the over 70's and front-line health and social care workers already having received their vaccine.
However, Alice Wiseman, Public Health Director with Gateshead Council wants to remind residents that even if you've had your vaccine, it is essential you continue to follow national guidance to help control further spread of Covid-19. This includes staying at home except for essential travel, washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering and maintaining a 2-metre distance from others.
The vaccine is given as a series of two injections into your upper arm, with the second dose following three to twelve weeks later than the first. While the first dose provides excellent protection against the symptoms of Covid-19, it's vital to remember you could still catch or spread the virus, particularly with the emergence of new variants.
Alice Wiseman, Public Health Director with Gateshead Council said:
"The rollout of the vaccine offers us optimism in the fight against Covid-19, however we must not get complacent in our behaviour and ignore government guidelines. Cases remain across Gateshead and there is still enormous pressure on local NHS services.
I know how desperate we all are to hug our family and friends, but now is not the time to lose focus on the long-term goals of the vaccine programme. Even if you've received your vaccine you can still carry and transmit the virus to others. To continue to help protect our loved ones and the wider Gateshead communities the best thing we can do is to keep on following the rules - the vaccine isn't a passport to freedom."
The vaccination programme is being delivered across Gateshead by local NHS services using a priority group system, with those most at risk from contracting Covid-19 receiving theirs first at either a vaccination hub at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital or across multiple GP practices.
While you may be eager to receive your vaccine, you will receive correspondence from the NHS advising you when it is your turn. It's important you do not contact the NHS for a vaccination before then, unless invited to do so. Presently all over 70s within Gateshead should have received their invitation to be vaccinated. If you are over 70 and have not received anything and are registered with a GP, you should book your vaccination (opens new window) now. If you do not have access to the Internet please call 119 free of charge between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.
Gateshead Council are urging residents not to be complacent once they've received their Covid-19 vaccination.
The rollout of the vaccination programme is progressing well across Gateshead, with priority groups, including the over 70's and front-line health and social care workers already having received their vaccine.
However, Alice Wiseman, Public Health Director with Gateshead Council wants to remind residents that even if you've had your vaccine, it is essential you continue to follow national guidance to help control further spread of Covid-19. This includes staying at home except for essential travel, washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering and maintaining a 2-metre distance from others.
The vaccine is given as a series of two injections into your upper arm, with the second dose following three to twelve weeks later than the first. While the first dose provides excellent protection against the symptoms of Covid-19, it's vital to remember you could still catch or spread the virus, particularly with the emergence of new variants.
Alice Wiseman, Public Health Director with Gateshead Council said:
"The rollout of the vaccine offers us optimism in the fight against Covid-19, however we must not get complacent in our behaviour and ignore government guidelines. Cases remain across Gateshead and there is still enormous pressure on local NHS services.
I know how desperate we all are to hug our family and friends, but now is not the time to lose focus on the long-term goals of the vaccine programme. Even if you've received your vaccine you can still carry and transmit the virus to others. To continue to help protect our loved ones and the wider Gateshead communities the best thing we can do is to keep on following the rules - the vaccine isn't a passport to freedom."
The vaccination programme is being delivered across Gateshead by local NHS services using a priority group system, with those most at risk from contracting Covid-19 receiving theirs first at either a vaccination hub at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital or across multiple GP practices.
While you may be eager to receive your vaccine, you will receive correspondence from the NHS advising you when it is your turn. It's important you do not contact the NHS for a vaccination before then, unless invited to do so. Presently all over 70s within Gateshead should have received their invitation to be vaccinated. If you are over 70 and have not received anything and are registered with a GP, you should book your vaccination (opens new window) now. If you do not have access to the Internet please call 119 free of charge between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.
