Care homes across Rutland have received their first vaccination against Covid-19.

In an update today, the Rutland Health Primary Care Network reported 'good progress' on the first stages of its vaccination programme, which began on December 21.

The network has received deliveries of both the Pfizer BioNtech and Astra Zeneca (Oxford) vaccines and administered them to patients as soon as possible to protect more people.

A statement continued: "All the residents of the 11 care homes looked after by Rutland Health PCN practices have now received their first doses of the COVID Vaccination. Many care home staff have also been vaccinated, and the remainder will be offered vaccination next week. Most of the care home staff have also received or been offered their first vaccination.

"In addition we have now administered the first vaccination to just over two thirds of our patients who are aged over 80, and some of the frontline health and care staff who have contact with multiple older adults."

The network says people aged over 80 who have not yet received a call yet should be contacted within the next 2 weeks.

"Please do not contact your practice. If you miss a call we will contact you again. We will use other ways of contacting patients before we complete the priority 1 and 2 cohorts. Vaccine delivery remains erratic and unpredictable."

The statement added: "If you have a friend or relative who aged over 80 and is normally housebound but who could be brought to the COVID vaccination centre in Oakham (there are wheelchairs available) please contact us by emailing [email protected] so that we can book them an appointment.

"We will contact those housebound patients who cannot be brought to the vaccination centre in the next few weeks to arrange their vaccinations once we have received guidance on how we can safely vaccinate people at home."

In total, all care homes have now vaccinated their residents- a milestone which was completed yesterday.

The two care homes within Rutland that do not fall under the Rutland Primary Care Network, is being supported by Rutland County Council in the vaccination campaign.

Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has called the progress made 'a fantastic achievement' for those involved, praising local clinicians, volunteers, the county council and the clinical commissioning group.

The MP said: "It is fantastic news that all our care homes in Rutland have now received their first vaccination - a fantastic achievement of our local clinicians, volunteers, Council, CCG and the national vaccination programme.

"For every 20 residents of a care home vaccinated, a life is saved, and this important effort was achieved in less than six days by our Primary Care Network and has been delivered well ahead of the national target of 24th January.

"I believe Rutland is the first County to complete its vaccinations of care home residents, and by the end of next week we expect all care home staff will also have been vaccinated."