A message of thanks has been issued to the Dorset team working tirelessly to vaccinate the most vulnerable.

The NHS in Dorset is working incredibly hard to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine to the most vulnerable local people, at the same time as providing care to all those who need it and whilst coping with the rising number of Covid-19 cases and winter pressures.

Praise has been issued to everyone working to support the programme - from volunteers to vaccinators and many others - as well as the wider public for their continued support and understanding.

This immense local effort across the Dorset health and care system has led to the rapid roll out of the programme across our communities.

In just a matter of a few weeks, GP-led local vaccination services have launched across all 18 primary care networks, hospital hubs, and roving vaccination teams for care homes and the housebound.

The thank you message comes as nationally published figures show that as of January 17, 68,693 coronavirus vaccines have been given to people in Dorset.

Vaccine delivery continues at pace, with close to two thirds - nearly 65 per cent - of over 80s, and 68 per cent of those in care homes having been vaccinated.

Pending vaccine supply, it is hoped to meet the target of vaccinating the first four priority groups by the middle of February.

Dr Karen Kirkham, local Dorset GP, is the clinical lead for the Dorset Covid-19 vaccination programme, and assistant clinical director of Dorset CCG. As well as being the clinical lead for the vaccination programme in Dorset, Dr Karen Kirkham has also been vaccinating local people on the frontline.

She said: "The vaccination programme in Dorset is off to a strong start. We have made incredible progress in a very short space of time since the vaccination - which is safe and effective - first became available.

"We'd like to thank the entire Dorset team who have done an incredible job to deliver what is the largest vaccination programme in our history.

"This has been an incredible effort by everyone involved. It is thanks to the tireless work of the whole team across Dorset, and the support of local people.

"Our ambition, if supplies allow, is to have offered vaccines to the most vulnerable by the middle of February.

"The roll out is good news, but we cannot afford to be complacent. The large increase in cases hospitals are seeing and the emergence of a new variant of the virus also shows that we cannot let our guard down now, and even those who have received a vaccine still need to follow all the same guidance as everyone else to help protect others."

Dorset CCG is reminding residents that they all have a part to play as is asking them to:

• Continue to follow the guidance to control the virus and save lives - that means staying at home as much as possible and following the 'hands, face, space' guidance when out

• When they are contacted, attend booked appointments

Dorset CCG has also created a central source of information about the programme, including frequently asked questions, news updates and a list of vaccination sites, which can be found here.

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