Carers Pleased To Be Top Of Vaccine List

Injection to be vital weapon against Covid-19

The announcement that care workers are to be prioritised the new Covid vaccine has been greeted warmly by providers, as they continue to fight the virus in care and residential settings.

The Independent Care Group (ICG) which represents providers, said it hoped the new vaccine would be a true turning point for carers.

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “News of the vaccine is excellent and it is wonderful to know that the vulnerable people we care for and those care workers on the front line are to be the highest priority to get it.

“Covid-19 has taken a terrible toll on older and vulnerable people this year and an end to that suffering through a vaccine cannot come soon enough.”

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 168 people died from Covid-19 in care and nursing homes across England and Wales in the week ending 30th October, up from 153 the previous week and 106 the week before.

Deaths have been rising over the weeks before that, at 63, 46, 38, 31, 27, 17 and 23, respectively. Some 16,140 people died from Covid-19 in these homes from 28th December to 30th October.