Milestone as all residents and staff in Sunderland's care homes for older people are offered coronavirus vaccine

And the city is on track to vaccinate everyone in the top four priority groups well ahead of the February 15 deadline.

The drive to vaccinate more than 1,650 residents and 2,000 staff across the city's 50 care homes for older people began at New Year with teams of community nurses from South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust working to deliver the jabs.

Today’s news comes two weeks after Prime Minister Boris Johnson singled the city out for praise for its efforts to protect the vulnerable.

The programme is being delivered by a partnership of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group and Sunderland City Council, Primary Care Networks and Sunderland GP Alliance

Sunderland City Council Leader Coun Graeme Miller said work to offer the vaccine to other frontline staff was well under way: "It's vital we do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and the dedicated staff who look after them so this is an important milestone,” he said.

"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.

"It's also good news for the dedicated care home staff who deserve our eternal thanks for all they have done.”

Anna Hargrave, Divisional Director for Community Services at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I am extremely proud of the way our community teams have stepped up to ensure that care home residents and staff receive the vaccine. It’s been very much a team effort ."Dr. Neil O’Brien, Clinical Accountable Officer for NHS Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group added: "We have made a significant step towards ensuring our most vulnerable patients gain significant increased protection and I’m delighted to share that, as well as completing care home vaccinations in Sunderland, we are on track to have vaccinated all of the top four priority groups by the end of next week.”

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