Rugby MP thanks staff and volunteers at the town's vaccination centre and urges residents to get the jab

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has thanked staff and volunteers at the town's Locke House vaccination centre after he received his vaccine over the weekend.

Mr Pawsey has been volunteering at the hub as a “meet and greeter” at the centre, and has seen for himself the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers who have managed to put Rugby ahead of the curve on delivering the lifesaving vaccinations.

Rugby’s vaccine hub has now vaccinated more than 20,000 Rugbeians and completed the first four priority groups ahead of the Government’s targets.

As such, Rugby is now moving onto the remaining priority groups, with residents aged 65+ having been offered a vaccine and the 60-64 age group beginning to be invited.

Mr Pawsey said: “I was very pleased to have to opportunity to get my jab now that Rugby has moved on to my age group.

"The team here, led by centre manager Gita Natarajan and Norman Byrd, a GP and the head of Rugby Health, have done an incredible job in coordinating the volunteers and the patients to run an efficient service which is running ahead of the Government’s target.

"None of this would be possible without the over 100 residents who have volunteered their time to help this process – we all owe them a huge thank you.

“As the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary have said, every jab brings us closer to beating coronavirus so that we can start to ease the restrictions we have all had to live with.

"With the news that we have reached the 15 million people in the top four priority groups nearly two days ahead of the Government’s target, it is clear we are making great progress.

"However, there is still a way to go and I would urge everybody to continue to follow the rules, protect the NHS and save lives whilst we continue to roll out the vaccine.”

“I would encourage everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to have it – the evidence shows that it will protect you and those around you from coronavirus.

"If you haven’t yet had your jab and are over 65 years old, I would urge you to contact your GP or go to www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination to book a vaccination.

"For those under 65, you will be contacted in the coming weeks.”