One in three Devon adults have had second jab

And 70 per cent have at least one

A third of all adults in Devon and Cornwall have had their second dose of a coronavirus vaccine, latest NHS figures show

The statistics, up to 2 May, show 1,517,943 vaccines have been delivered in the two counties, with 1,028,348 first doses.

In Devon, 694,770 people have had their first dose (70 per cent), and 324,040 people have had second doses (34 per cent).

Of the adult population, 76.3 per cent in East Devon, 56.4 per cent in Exeter, 72.9 per cent in Mid Devon, 73.3 per cent in North Devon, 65.5 per cent in Plymouth, 75.5 per cent in South Hams, 76.3 per cent in Teignbridge, 76 per cent in Torbay, 75 per cent in Torridge, and 77.4 per cent in West Devon, have had one dose. 

For second doses the figures are 40.6 per cent in East Devon, 27.5 per cent in Exeter, 32.1 per cent in Mid Devon Devon, 35 per cent in North Devon, 28.6 per cent in Plymouth, 34.1 per cent in South Hams, 32.9 per in Teignbridge, 34.8 per cent in Torbay, 31.9 per cent in Torridge and 43.1 per cent in West Devon, as of May 2, had their second dose.

And Oxford-ONS analysis of more than 370,000 survey participants found infections reduced by 65 per cent after a single dose of the vaccine, and  symptoms and viral load tend to me much milder in people catching covid after a vaccination.

A separate study from Public Health England, of 500,000 households estimated that people with the virus who hadn’t been vaccinated infected around 10 per cent of people in their households, but that figure dropped to around six percent where the original case had been vaccinated.

Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said: “We are learning more and more about the vaccines and their impact not just in protecting the individuals who have had their jab, but also on the impact it has on the transmission of the virus.

“I know that younger people may think that they’re less likely to be seriously ill from the virus because of their age and general good health, compared say to older and more vulnerable people.  And that may be true.  But don’t let that persuade you not to have the vaccine.  You might still catch coronavirus, but studies are now suggesting that those who have been vaccinated are less likely to transmit the virus to other people.  Please take up the vaccine when it’s offered to you, if not just to protect you, but to also help protect others.”

And from tomorrow, anyone who has an appointment for a first or second dose of Covid vaccine at the large vaccination centre at Westpoint Exeter should go to the new site at the Greendale Business Park.  Greendale is just over two miles from the existing site, and clear signage will be in place to guide patients from Westpoint.

VACCINE ROLLOUT BY AREA

Exeter and East Devon and Mid Devon

Some GP sites in Exeter will not be providing vaccinations for their patients aged 18-49, but people in the city can use the National Booking Service to book an appointment at locations including at the nearby large vaccination centre at Greendale Business Park or Lewis Pharmacy in Exmouth.

A spokesperson said: “The GP practices who have been running the vaccination programme out of the Exminster Limes Surgery, St Thomas Health Centre and Mount Pleasant Health Centres in Exeter for the first phase of the covid-19 vaccination programme are now focusing on the second doses for the people who we vaccinated who are aged 50 years and over or with underlying health conditions.

People registered with Westbank Surgery in Exminster will be invited to Dawlish Community Hospital.

Anyone who has an appointment for a first or second dose at the vaccination centre at Westpoint Exeter should go to the new site at the Greendale Business Park.

Appointments at the GP-led sites at Exmouth Tennis and Fitness Centre and Moorhayes Community Centre in Tiverton are soon set to be added to the National Booking Service. 

North Devon

The vaccination site will continue at North Devon Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, but the running of the site will be taken on by Northern Devon Healthcare Trust and bookings can be made through the National Booking Service – not the GP practice.

Subject to approval by NHS England and NHS Improvement, it is expected that the Leisure Centre will be available to book for appointments on the National Booking Service for people in the eligible groups from early May.

For a period, the site will be shared with GP teams as they finish second doses to people in groups 1-9.

The National Booking Service currently offers appointments at Arnold’s Pharmacy in Westward Ho!

Ruby Country Medical Practice (Holsworthy) and Bradworthy Surgery will continue to arrange vaccinations for their patients and vaccination clinics will continue to be held at Holsworthy Health Centre. Patients will be contacted by the practices when appointments are available.

Plymouth, Ivybridge, Plympton and Plymstock

In the Plymouth area, the Pavilions, the Staddy and Glenside Medical Centre will not be vaccinating the 18-49 age group but local people can continue to access the large vaccination centre at Home Park and Devonport Pharmacy through the National Booking Service.