VACCINATIONS using the Oxford – AstraZeneca vaccine have started at Warwick Hospital.
Staff have been asked to identify their risk category and which priority group they fall into according to recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, as jabs initially focus on patient-facing members. This includes vaccinating care home workers who fall into the category.
The trust’s chief executive Glen Burley said: “The start of our vaccination programme marks an incredibly important milestone in our fight against covid-19 and gives us a real opportunity to begin turning the tide against this virus. Our staff have been working extremely hard throughout the pandemic and we’re delighted to be able to offer this vaccine to protect them and help them deliver the great care they provide for our patients.”
The vaccine, developed by researchers at Oxford University, follows the roll-out of the Pfizer vaccine, which was the first to be approved.
It is made from a weaker version of a common cold virus and has been altered to imitate coronavirus – although it does not cause illness. It is designed to trigger the immune system into creating antibodies to combat coronavirus infection.
Unlike Pfizer’s jab – which has to be kept at -70C – the Oxford vaccine can be stored in a regular fridge making it easier to distribute.
