Potential for Covid vaccines in North Yorkshire workplaces
North Yorkshire County Council are looking into ways they can get more people vaccinated
Last updated 28th Apr 2021
Health officials in North Yorkshire are looking into bringing covid jabs to workplaces in order to get more people vaccinated.
As we make our way down the priority list, it might be more difficult for those in full and part time work to get to appointments during the day.
To combat this, North Yorkshire Council Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group are looking into taking vaccinations to workplaces so those who are unable to get to appointments can still get a jab.
Amanda Bloor, Accountable Officer for North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "There are going to be opportunities in working with our partners in local authorities and communities to think about innovative ways to get younger people vaccinated so particularly around targeting workplaces and bringing the vaccine to people at work.
"Because younger people may not have the flexibility as older people in terms of taking time away from work to get a vaccine so we're just working through all the options available with our partners.
"Particularly young people who may not feel they need to come forward and take a covid vaccination. To be really clear, it's not just about protecting you. It is about our entire communities and our county working together to be able to open up safely."
The infection rate for North Yorkshire is now at 31.7 per 100,000 residents. That is higher than the national average which stands at 24.2 per 100,000.
Ryedale, Hambleton, Harrogate and Richmondshire have the lowest infection rates at 9, 12, 12.4 and 14.9 respectively. Scarborough's infection rate is now at 24.8 with Craven district's at 45.6.
Selby has the highest infection rate for the county at 109.2 per 100,000. It is one of the highest rates in the entire country.
Richard Webb, Corporate Director for Health and Adult Services warned the infection rate in Selby will increase, saying "one outbreak can cause turbulence."
He said: "Selby is at the heart of the wider Yorkshire region with its transport links and it is prone to that kind of turbulence in terms of other regions and we have seen that in the past.
"I think we should be prepared that there is potential for a further rise in those figures as we're doing an active targeted outbreak management programme and we are testing lots of people."