Local MP Robert Largan raised raised the success of High Peak’s vaccine rollout with the Health Secretary, the Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, in the House of Commons chamber, as well as the need for surges in vaccinations and testing to support lockdown easing.
The High Peak MP asked:
“As of last week, over 82,000 doses of the covid vaccine have been administered across the High Peak. It is an amazing achievement and I put on my record my thanks again to everyone who has made that possible.
“I urge the Health Secretary to focus on doing surge vaccinations and surge testing in those areas with growing numbers of new cases to put us in the best possible position, so that we can get rid of any remaining restrictions as soon as possible.”
In response, the Health Secretary praised the High Peak’s success in fighting the virus:
“Yes, this is our planned approach. I am glad to say that the number of cases across the High Peak is very, very low.
“I am also glad to see that the vaccination rates across the whole of Derbyshire are really high—I was in Derbyshire just before the elections, and the rates are high and there is huge enthusiasm behind the project.
“I pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s work in making sure that that is what has happened.”
The Government is urging everyone who is eligible but has not come forward yet—including 34-year-olds who recently became eligible—to get a vaccination as soon as possible.
The UK has now administered more than 57 million doses across the country, including over 20 million second doses, and remains on track to offer a vaccine to all adults by the end of July.
Robert Largan MP commented:
“High Peak is leading the way with our vaccination programme. It was good to put my thanks to all those who have worked so hard on record in the House of Commons.
“I called on the Health Secretary to focus on surge vaccinations and surge testing in areas where there are growing numbers of new Covid cases, so that we do not have to keep the remaining emergency restrictions for a day longer than is absolutely necessary.”
