SOMETHING we should be proud of here in Wyre Forest is the speed and efficiency of the local vaccine roll-out.

Vaccines are our way out of this pandemic, and we are making fantastic progress in protecting the most vulnerable.

Our local NHS and GPs have inoculated over 93.5 per cent of the over-80s, 88 per cent of our over-75s, and we are moving at pace to vaccinate the over-70s.

Many constituents have emailed me asking when they will get the vaccine and how effective it is with one single dose.

This week a study from Oxford shows the Oxford-Astrazenca vaccine may have a substantial effect in reducing the transmission of the virus, offering 76 per cent effective protection from a single dose.

Cutting the chains of transmission is essential if we are to truly defeat this virus and return to our normal way of life. And these findings from Oxford University potentially mark one of the most significant moments in our battle against Covid-19.

I have always said throughout this pandemic, we run the risk of losing a generation due to the closure of our schools. And last week, the Prime Minister said that schools will likely remain closed until March.

The only way out of this lockdown is for us to achieve herd immunity – a point at which the reproduction rate is consistently well below one.

If we can keep inoculating people at speed, we will achieve that herd immunity. But I am making the case that teachers and key workers such as supermarket workers will be included in the next phase.

This week, the Schools Minister wrote to me saying that offering the jab to teachers is something the JCVI are considering.

For my part, I will continue to work with our local healthcare professionals and do anything I can to support them.

My office is staffed up, and ready to help people with their questions from not just healthcare workers, but everyone who needs help and advice.

If we keep up this effort, I hope we will be able to relax restrictions, get kids back to school and be with our families and friends again.

As the late Captain Sir Tom Moore poignantly noted, “the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away.”

He is a man who has become a symbol of our resilient spirit. He will be missed.