Sunderland public health director urges others to come forward after receiving Covid jab

Gerry Taylor, Sunderland City Council's Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning, says the city is still seeing the transmission of Covid going up and down in communities.

It comes as she is encouraging everyone who gets an invitation to come forward for their jab – even if they didn’t take it up when it was first offered – after she received her AstraZeneca Covid vaccination at the Bunny Hill Centre in Castletown.

In her weekly video to residents, Gerry said: "The vaccination programme across the city is continuing and I’ve recently had mine. It was quick and painless and apart from a sore arm, I didn’t have any side effects.

"I would urge everyone to have yours when it’s your turn. Even if you’ve turned it down previously, it’s not too late to change your mind and if you’ve had the first dose, make sure you get your second as that is what gives the most protection."

Gerry also asked people to carry on following the rules, even after being vaccinated, to avoid the risk of Covid taking off again in Sunderland, especially as lockdown rules continue to ease and people are allowed to meet up in small groups outside.

And she encouraged everyone planning to get together with family and friends this Easter to follow some simple steps to keep themselves and those they meet safe.

Gerry said: "If your children are on their Easter break, I hope they’re having fun and that everyone enjoys the upcoming bank holiday, we just need to make sure that we all do so safely.

"This week, restrictions eased a little more and now two households or six people can meet outside, including in private gardens. While it’s great we can see each other again in small groups, I would urge everyone to do so with caution. Plan ahead – take your own drinks if you can, so you’re not sharing crockery - and don’t be tempted to ‘pop’ in to use the bathroom.

"These small measures help keep us all safe - and it’s something we need to continue to do, particularly as in Sunderland we are still seeing the transmission of Covid going up and down in communities."

Parents with secondary aged children are being urged to continue using the self-test kits that should have come home with their child over the Easter holidays, twice a week and report their results to the NHS.

But she said it was also important to also remember that the kits are not to be used on primary school children and they’re not for people with symptoms.

She added: "Just like outdoors, we’re starting to see the green shoots of recovery springing up, and by cautiously moving forward together, we grow stronger every day. Thank you again for all you are doing, it is hugely appreciated by everyone here in Sunderland."

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