Director of Public Health Sefton reminds people to:- "Stay vigilant and get your 2nd Vaccine Dose."

MARGARET Jones, Sefton Council's Director of Public Health has joined her colleagues from across Cheshire and Merseyside in urging people to attend appointments for their 2nd dose of the Covid19 Vaccine.

More than 1.4 million Vaccines have already been administered in Cheshire and Merseyside with around 95% of over 70's now having received their 1st dose. But as 2nd dose appointments gather pace, the Region's Directors of Public Health, including Margaret are reminded people they only have maximum protection if they have both doses.

She said:- �I am pleased that across our Region so many people, including me, have already had a 1st dose of the Covid19 Vaccine. But I can confirm that I will definitely be attending my appointment for a 2nd dose because it is only with 2 doses that we have maximum protection. In the meantime, because I could still pick up and pass on the virus, I will be continuing to follow the guidance on distancing, wearing face covering and washing my hands as well as sticking to the Government's lockdown regulations.�

Addressing concerns people may have about the AstraZeneca Vaccine, Mrs Jones said:- "I had the AstraZeneca Vaccine with no noticeable side effects and will have absolutely no hesitation in going to get the protection a second dose will provide. I would go tomorrow, although in fact my follow up appointment is not until June 2021. I'm also pleased to see that the latest YouGov survey shows that most people in the UK agree with me with 75% of British respondents saying they trust the AstraZeneca jab."

This week, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which regulates medicines in the UK, said the overall risk of developing blood clots after the AstraZeneca Vaccination is just 4 in a million.

The MHRA also said Vaccines have already saved thousands of lives and are the best way to protect people from COVID-19.

Directors of Public Health in Cheshire and Merseyside confirmed some people may have experienced mild side effects with the first dose of either Vaccine but said this is a sign that it is working and triggering their immune response. And they say the possibility of feeling unwell after the second dose is much less common.

Ian Ashworth, Chair of the Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Public Health Board and Director of Public Health for Cheshire West and Chester said:- "The 1st dose of the Vaccine offers good levels of protection, but to get maximum protection everyone will need a 2nd dose. Even if you are Vaccinated, it is essential to keep washing your hands, wearing a mask when needed and keeping your distance. Everyone has made huge sacrifices to bring the case numbers down and we want to ensure we don't see any further rises in the future."

The Government has reported that there will be a significant reduction in weekly Vaccine supply from the beginning of April for a 4 week period. The focus during this period will be on ensuring 2nd doses of the Vaccine are delivered and that no 1 is left behind; teams across the Region are looking at innovative schemes to take the Vaccine to those individuals and communities that have lower uptake of the Vaccine.

It is therefore even more important that people aged 50 and above, Health and Care workers, people with an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk, and anyone called for a 2nd dose take up the offer now.

The NHS has been inviting those eligible for a jab by letter and text with GPs also calling some patients.

Text invitations appear as an alert from:- 'NHSVaccine' and letters include a web link to click and reserve an appointment at one of more than 300 large scale VVaccination Centres or Pharmacies across England.

The Directors of Public Health also urged people to continue getting tested as restrictions are eased, no matter what their Covid19 Vaccine status, to protect themselves and their loved ones.

People can find out more about Home Testing and how to obtain Home Test Kits at:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Home-Tests.

Anyone developing Coronavirus symptoms should still self isolate and immediately book a PCR test by calling:- 119 or visiting:- NHS.UK/Coronavirus. Eligible people who test positive are entitled to the ₤500 Test and Trace Support Payment, in the same way as a regular swab test through NHS Test and Trace.

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 1,730 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,369,775 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 7 within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 127,087, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 149,968.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 2,862. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 406 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 221.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,819,149 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 601,540 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 48,269 confirmed cases.
- ERROR -

► Halton, 11,895 confirmed cases. - ERROR -

► Knowsley, 17,295 confirmed cases. - ERROR -

► Sefton, 23,774 confirmed cases. - ERROR -

► St. Helens, 16,987 onfirmed cases. - ERROR -

► Wirral, 24,165 confirmed cases.
- ERROR -

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

32,121,353 7,466,540

Jab Stats correct as of:- 10 April 2021

The Vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the Vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.