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I promised to keep you informed about the targeted testing programme and our plans for delivering the COVID-19 vaccine across the city. Since December’s welcome news that a vaccine had been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency – testing and vaccine programmes have begun across Manchester.
Targeted COVID-19 testing programme for our critical workers
From today (Monday 11 January), regular COVID-19 testing will be offered to targeted groups of staff, even if they are not showing any symptoms of the disease. These critical workers play a vital role in maintaining services, and in the process have more unavoidable contact with other people and residents, putting them at high risk.
Regular testing means we can protect our staff, keep services running, and help stop the spread of the disease within our communities.
Heads of Services will be notified which staff are eligible for the test. If eligible for testing, you will be contacted by your manager. They will give you all the information and support you need about where to go and what to expect, including what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
We are being supported by army personnel at our testing sites, so please do not be concerned by their presence and help staff and residents to understand why they are there.
If you show signs of COVID-19, please don’t wait to be invited for a test. You must follow the national guidance, self-isolate, and book a test online as soon as possible. Do not return to the workplace. Further support and guidance can be found on the intranet.
Manchester’s vaccination programme
Manchester’s vaccination programme started in mid-December, with priority given to residents aged 80 and over, care home staff, and NHS staff who are at higher risk. We are leading the way in carrying out this programme at speed and now have seven community vaccination sites across the city. This is a huge step forward as we can now begin to increase the number of vaccinations given to those who need them most.
These community-based sites will be in addition to the Greater Manchester mass-vaccination site at the Etihad Tennis Centre.
People eligible for the vaccine will be contacted directly and invited to attend an appointment at one of our sites. We are aware that there are several vaccination scams circulating nationally, so it is important to remember that if you are eligible for a vaccine you will be invited directly by your GP or the NHS.
If you are not yet in a group eligible for the vaccine, when the time comes to expand the programme you will be notified. I am sure you support the decision to vaccinate those at high risk first so we can keep our most vulnerable, our communities, and critical staff safe.
Vaccinations for critical workers
Staff identified as critical workers and eligible for the vaccine will be contacted directly by their manager or head of service. More details will be shared with managers to help staff understand more about the vaccine, how to get it and what they need to do.
We are working quickly to identify the front-line staff groups that are at greater risk of exposure to the virus so we can ensure they can get the vaccine. While it is not mandatory, staff eligible for the vaccine are encouraged to have it to protect themselves and others.
We are continuing to work through our plans and prepare for when more staff and residents will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Developments are happening at a very fast pace, and I will keep you up to date with progress as soon as the information becomes available.
Important staff communications
My broadcasts to you, like this one, along with our general staff communications (the Forum, Wellbeing Wednesday and Staff Spotlight) will continue to include COVID-19 updates, including information on the vaccine and testing programmes. Your directorate communications will contain any additional information that may be specific to your service area. You can also find COVID-19 information and support on the intranet, and staff who work as part of Manchester Local Care Organisation can check for health and social care updates on their extranet site. Please talk to your manager if you have any additional questions.
We must all play our part to help move things forward as quickly as possible and help protect ourselves and others. Thank you for your ongoing patience as we work with our health partners to deliver the testing and vaccination programmes.
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