Birkenhead vaccination centre passes 100,000 covid jabs

Oxton resident George Shallcross received his booster jab from the Covid 19 vaccination site at Miriam Medical Centre, Birkenhead Medical Building this week, passing the 100,000 milestone.

The programme, launched on December 14 last year, is continuing to vaccinate first, second and booster doses.

The service is provided on behalf practices who are part of Arno Primary Care Alliance and North Coast Alliance Networks in Birkenhead and North Wallasey.

The vaccination team of Miriam Primary Care Group consists of doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, health care assistants, admin staff and volunteers.

Oxton resident George Shallcross receives his booster jab

Booster vaccinations began four weeks ago and around 10,000 people have had their booster shots.

The team extended the programme into the community to reach vulnerable people making it easy for people to attend at a centre closer to home. Fifty such sessions were held, delivering more than 5,000 vaccinations.

This was done in partnership with Wirral Multicultural Organisation, Wirral Change, Tomorrow's Women, Wirral Islamic Centre & Mosque, Beechwood Little Centre, Seacombe Children's Centre, Heart of Egremont, Rock Ferry Salvation Army, Tranmere Rovers and several public locations using the Vaccination Bus.

A joint statement from Miriam Centre's joint clinical directors Dr John Mottram, Dr Salahuddin and Dr Mantgani today read: "We wish to thank the hard work, resilience, effort and determination of our vaccination teams, staff in all the practices involved, volunteers and council staff in successfully completing 100,000 vaccinations and for the ongoing work.

"Staff have worked very hard to achieve this while still doing their day-to-day normal work and is a testament to the commitment of General Practice to serve the community.

"We wish to thank the CCG, Public Health and all the community organisations for their support and collaboration.

"Our work is not complete as nearly 20% of the population have still not been vaccinated.

"We urge all those who have not been vaccinated or had their second dose, please come and get it immediately to protect yourself and those around you."

Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle said: "It is fantastic news that Miriam Primary Care Group, led by Dr Abhi Mantgani, has reached the milestone of delivering over 100,000 COVID jabs since the vaccine rollout started.

"They have delivered first and second doses to all ages from the centre, in the community via vaccine buses, in care homes and to the most vulnerable in their own home.

"They are now delivering vaccine booster jabs for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have had a 2nd dose of a vaccine at least 6 months ago.

"I want to thank the staff at the Miriam Care group for their dedication to patients across Wallasey and Wirral, since the pandemic began."

Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley added: "The struggle to contain and defeat the Covid 19 pandemic has relied on the hard work and dedication of staff across the NHS to get as many people vaccinated as possible.

"Dr Abhi Mantgani’s Miriam Primary Care Group team at the Birkenhead Medical Centre has played a leading role in the vaccination programme and I was delighted to hear that they have now achieved the amazing goal of carrying out 100,000 jabs in our area.

"This has contributed enormously to safety and well-being of so many people.

"Well done to Dr Mantgani and the whole team."

Elizabeth Hodgson, chair of the patient group added: "Many congratulations on reaching this milestone.

This is a wonderful achievement, and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this effort.”

The vaccination programme provide first, second booster jabs Monday to Friday 9am to 6.30pm and 9am to 5pm on Saturday.

You can book appointments through your GP or avail of the walk-in facility at the Birkenhead Medical Building during these hours. Pfizer Covid vaccination is available to everyone over 16 years and booster shots to those who had their second vaccine six months ago.