Vaccinations completed across Manchester’s care homes

All of the residents in Manchester’s care homes for older people have received their Covid-19 vaccinations following a huge effort to protect some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Residents of the city’s 56 care homes were among the first people to be prioritised for the vaccine rollout, with NHS teams aiming to have completed the vaccination of this cohort by January 24.

Following a final push over the weekend of January 23-24 the work is now successfully completed.

Carolyn Ball, general manager of Belong Morris Feinmann Care Village in Didsbury, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our residents have had this opportunity to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. This is the additional protection we have long been waiting for and it’s great to be starting the new year knowing that our residents are at reduced risk."

Bill Halon, aged 77, a tenant in one of the independent living apartments at Belong who received the vaccine, said: “I was over the moon to receive my first Covid-19 vaccine. The delivery was well-organised and I felt safe and supported throughout.”

Care home staff from across the city are also a priority group for the vaccine. They have been able to book a vaccination at clinics at Manchester Royal Infirmary delivered by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust since mid-December.

'I feel quite emotional'

Staff have also been able to receive a vaccine in their care home as part of the rollout to residents if they are on duty at the time and supplies allow, but can also still book at one of the hospital based clinics which are now also available at Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital as well as at the MRI.

Brocklehurst Nursing Home in West Didsbury received their vaccines on January 12th and manager Hollie Collins said: “I feel quite emotional. I’m so grateful that nursing homes and care homes have been the priority. We’ve had a massive staff and resident uptake which has made me really proud. It’s a nice relief to know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I can go home and sleep knowing they're more protected. I’ve had the vaccine and I’ve seen over 20 residents and staff safely have it here. It’s just a really nice relief to be honest.”

The first care home worker to receive the vaccine in Manchester was Michael Fielding from Ringway Mews care home in Sharston who had his vaccine at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in December.

He said: “I wanted to keep safe and keep the residents safe. It’s a good thing and I’ve encouraged other staff to have it too. You’ve got to do anything you can do to keep yourself and others safe.”