THE coronavirus vaccination programme has made a successful start in Middlewich.

Residents began to receive the jab at Victoria Hall last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with five more clinics taking place this week, while Newton Court and Manor care home residents also received their first jab last Friday.

All residents aged over 80 in Middlewich were in line to have been contacted by 8pm on Monday, and anyone who is yet to have received an invite is asked to call for an appointment today, January 19.

Nicola Antoney, deputy clerk at Middlewich Town Council, told Monday’s meeting that the roll-out has gone ‘very well’ so far.

Northwich Guardian: Victoria Hall is hosting five Covid vaccination clinics this weekVictoria Hall is hosting five Covid vaccination clinics this week

“We’ve had some really good feedback on Facebook on how well it’s run,” she said.

“On Saturday we even had two of the top [NHS Cheshire] CCG bosses down and they were really pleased with the venue and how it’s run.

“Everybody has more or less gone in and out with hardly any queuing. All in all it went very well.”

Nicola told councillors that the number of clinics held in Middlewich depends on the supply of the vaccine available – with two deliveries this week meaning clinics can take place on five days.

The roll-out is being carried out by the Smash Primary Care Network, including GP practices in Sandbach, Middlewich, Alsager, Scholar Green and Haslington.

Northwich Guardian: All care home residents in Newton Court and Manor have had their first doseAll care home residents in Newton Court and Manor have had their first dose

Following the first day of vaccinations Dr Neil Paul, clinical director for Smash, said: “Everything is going really well, there’s a great atmosphere.

“We’ve learned a lot of lessons, things are running really smoothly and patients are in a great mood.

“I think there’s this really good atmosphere – we are finally doing something to combat the Covid pandemic.

“Having said that, we’ve got quite a long journey ahead of us, we’ve got lots of shifts coming up – and if you want to volunteer to help the SMASH programme please get in touch.”

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Cllr Mike Hunter, chairman of Middlewich Town Council, added: “Thank you to everybody who made that happen because it is a big thing for our town.”

If you or a relative are aged over 80, live in Middlewich and are yet to receive an invitation for the vaccine, call your own GP practice