Sheffield's Director of Public Health: Hospital admissions beginning to fall thanks to vaccine roll out
Greg Fell believes fewer elderly people across the city are being hospitalised thanks to the Covid-19 vaccine
There are early signs the Covid-19 vaccine is working in tackling the virus in Sheffield.
The city's Director of Public Health says fewer elderly people are being hospitalised and dying now the majority of over 75's have had the jab.
Greg Fell tells us it'll become more and more obvious it's having an effect as time goes on:
"It takes two weeks from the point of the needle being stuck into the shoulder, to immune response.
"After that, it probably takes another couple of weeks from immune response to what is a transmission event and then a bit longer after that until incubation.
"Therefore, we're only just beginning to see the impact on hospitalisations, with fewer elderly people now being admitted.
"It's doing the job that it said it would do, which's to reduce serious illness and death.
"There will still be people who become infected, but they'll have much milder illnesses."
Mr. Fell also added that it's vital we engage with those in BAME communities - to counter worries about the Covid-19 vaccine.
"There are lots of healthcare professionals who are engaged in trying to counter misinformation which's out there on things like social media.
"Talking to people directly is the best solution in getting rid of any fears in my opinion.
"Right now, reluctance hasn't been a problem thus far, perhaps apart from the exception of some people in BAME communities, so this could become a problem as we get down the age groups.
"The bottom line is that both of the vaccines currently in use are safe and effective."
It's as some GPs in the city are worried about it - as national stats suggest 72% of people in black ethnic groups are unlikely to take up the offer of the jab.