THOUSANDS of people in Wyre Forest have now received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The exact number of local vaccinations delivered is unknown as Worcestershire’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)says the national figures are not being broken down by area, however Wyre Forest Health Partnership said on Saturday that 1,000 healthcare workers had received the vaccine from Kidderminster Medical Centre that day.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Care home worker Carina Narine getting her first dose of the Oxford Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccineCare home worker Carina Narine getting her first dose of the Oxford Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine

Hundreds more jabs were administered at local care homes by staff from across the five partnership sites over the weekend.

Among the first in the district to receive the first dose of the Oxford Astra Zeneca Vaccine on Saturday were residents and staff at Hollyfields and Ivy House care homes in Kidderminster.

General manager Fiona Brewin said: "All 42 of our residents and all of our staff except for those who are medically exempt have now received the first dose of the vaccine.

"Wyre Forest Health Partnership contacted us last week to say we were next in the queue and the GPs came to the home on Saturday, it was really constructive.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Care home worker Michael Butler getting his first dose of the Oxford Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccineCare home worker Michael Butler getting his first dose of the Oxford Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine

"We set up a clinic in our activities room and it really felt like we were helping to change the future and hopefully get back to normal life.

"The mood among our residents was really positive on the day. The residents were queueing to get their vaccinations.

"They felt very privileged to be among the first in Wyre Forest to get the vaccine as care homes haven't always been put first in this pandemic. It felt like the start of a new beginning.

"We really are desperate to be able to tell our families they can finally hug their loved ones - something simple we've taken for granted over the years but that we miss the most now.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Care home manager Fiona Brewin Fiona Brewin getting the jabCare home manager Fiona Brewin Fiona Brewin getting the jab

"The vaccine has made us feel like we are one step closer to having that back."

A spokesman for Worcestershire's CCG said: "Primary care colleagues across Worcestershire are doing fantastic work in delivering the vaccination programme so far.

"We’d like to remind patients booked in for their vaccination not to arrive early for their appointment, but to make sure they attend at their designated time to avoid having to wait.

"Those patients not yet booked are also reminded not to contact their practice to request an appointment – they will be contacted when it’s their turn, in accordance with the national policy for priority groups outlined by the Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisation."