Prime Minister Boris Johnson praises Sunderland's vaccine effort as more than 80% of care home residents have had the jab

The Prime Minister paid tribute to vaccination teams in Sunderland during a Downing Street press for delivering the jab to over 80% of care home residents.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has paid tribute to the efforts of the vaccination teams in Sunderland as he announced that more than 80% of care home residents across Wearside have received the coronavirus vaccine.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Friday, January 15, the PM revealed that across the country, almost 45% of over 80s had been vaccinated, and almost 40% of care home residents – paying tribute to the areas which are going to great lengths to roll out the jab.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised vaccination teams in Sunderland for delivering the jab to more than 80% of care home residents. Photo: PA.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised vaccination teams in Sunderland for delivering the jab to more than 80% of care home residents. Photo: PA.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised vaccination teams in Sunderland for delivering the jab to more than 80% of care home residents. Photo: PA.
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Mr Johnson said: “I pay particular tribute to the vaccination efforts going on in Cockermouth in Cumbria, Yately and Cheltenham where they have vaccinated around 90% of over 80s in their communities.

"And also pay tribute to North West Lincolnshire, to Sunderland and Morecambe Bay where vaccination teams have protected over 80% of their care home residents.”

Vaccination efforts across Wearside are still ramping up, with the Millfield Medical Centre becoming the sixth vaccination centre in the city when it opened to deliver the jab yesterday (Thursday, January 14).

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Sunderland City Council leader Councillor Graeme Miller, said: "It's brilliant to see so many of the most vulnerable residents in our communities and the dedicated staff who look after them being vaccinated.

"While we all need to remain cautious and keep following the guidance that's there to keep us all safe, we know how much the families of those in care homes have been longing for the day when their loved ones would be vaccinated and we hope this gives them some reassurance and peace of mind.

"This is also good news for the dedicated care home staff who deserve our eternal thanks for all they have done to look after our most vulnerable residents throughout this pandemic.”

The good news from the Prime Minister rounds up a difficult week which saw no deliveries of new doses at four of Wearside’s vaccination sites after teams had administered all of the previous supply.

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