The Health Secretary has personally thanked everyone involved in the St Albans vaccination programme which he says is one of the "highest performing" in the country.

St Albans MP Daisy Cooper shared a letter on Facebook on Saturday from Matt Hancock which was full of praise for the Batchwood Hall vaccination centre.

In the letter, Mr Hancock hailed the "community spirit" helping to lead the city and the rest of the country out of the Covid pandemic.

Writing to Ms Cooper, Mr Hancock said: "I am writing to update you on the fantastic efforts of your local Covid vaccination teams.

"I am delighted to inform you that 'Club Batchwood', a collective of PCN's (primary care networks) in St Albans, are one of the highest performing Covid vaccination teams in the country, having now vaccinated all over 80s in the system."

Thousands have passed through the doors of Batchwood Hall, a nightclub turned vaccination centre, with a drive-thru service recently being set up in light of freezing temperatures.

The Batchwood centre is being run by several GP practices from across St Albans district and was one of the first major sites in Hertfordshire to open after Robertson House in Stevenage.

 

 

Mr Hancock continued in his letter: "Britain is leading the global fightback against the virus, being the first country in the world to approve a clinically-trialled vaccine and now deploying the vaccine on the ground faster than almost any other country in the world.

"And this is down to the tireless efforts of all those involved - especially those on the ground in our communities, from nurses, to GP's, to pharmacies, to volunteers, and so many more.

"It's incredible to see this community spirit, as people pull together to lead us collectively out of the pandemic.

"I hope you will join me in thanking and congratulating all those involved in your area for the part they are playing in this national effort."

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Credit: PA

A total of 14,556,827 million people in the UK have now received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, according to Government figures published on February 13.

This is the equivalent of 21.8 per cent of the total UK population, and 27.6 per cent of people aged 18 and over.

Figures released on February 11 show that more than a quarter of a million people in the top priority groups across Hertfordshire and west Essex have now had their first dose of the vaccine.

This includes 168,317 (88.6 per cent) of people aged 70 and over and 100,095 under 70s, including health and care workers and patients who are clinically extremely vulnerable. 

People aged 70 and over, those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and front line health and social care staff who have not yet had their first Covid vaccination, are being urged to contact the NHS now to arrange a jab.

The easiest way to arrange a vaccination if you are in a priority group is through the online national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. 

Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.