The borough is celebrating a huge milestone, with 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered to residents.

The NHS started giving the vaccine to local people in order of priority back in December. Since then, many residents have been saying yes to the vaccine and have had their jab at one of the borough’s vaccination centres.

Book your jab

Residents who fall into the following identified categories are now able to book a vaccination appointment on the NHS website:

• People aged 55 and over
• People at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• People who live or work in care homes
• Health and social care workers
• People with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• People with a learning disability
• People who are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus.

If you do not fall within the above categories, make sure you continue to visit the NHS webpage, because the phased roll-out is updated regularly.

‘Get it, if you are offered it’

Frontline service men and women were some of the first to be offered the vaccine. This includes care workers, who have provided invaluable services to those most in need during each lockdown.

One of those carers is Mary Bardon, a care worker from Ealing, who got her first vaccine earlier this year. She said: “To me it is like, getting a part of my life back again. Everyday, when I was out for three or four months everyday, I prayed that a vaccine would be got, that getting back out and trying to live life because it is not nice being at home 24/7, it is not nice at all.

“I do tell everyone ‘110%’. I tell people: ‘please get it, if you’re offered it, you take it’. We are so, so lucky that we are getting it and if they are given it, take it.

“I am Irish; I haven’t been home in a whole year to see my parents and, believe me, it is very hard. And, when I got this vaccination last week, I said ‘I am one step nearer to getting to see my mother and father’.”

Watch a video interview with Mary in full.

‘I’m trusting the science’

We caught up with another carer in Ealing, Chris Canniegieter, who was hesitant at first about getting the vaccine, but also received his first jab earlier this year. He said: “I mean, for me, I have got an elderly mother, who has complications. So, for her, hearing that I have had the vaccine helps [to] kind of calm her issues, because my sister and myself are the only carers around.

“I feel better about myself, having taken the vaccine and I’m trusting the science.”

Watch an interview with Chris in full.

Councillor Binda Rai, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for public health and adult services, recently received her first dose of the vaccine. She said: “It is brilliant to hear that more than 100,000 doses of the vaccine have been given in Ealing. This is a huge step forward, but we should be hesitant about celebrating too soon. I would encourage residents to book their appointment as soon as they are able to receive the vaccine, so that we can move towards some form of normality that will allow us to be with our family and friends.”

“Rates still remain high, so it is important that residents continue to follow public health guidance as residents have been doing over the last year. I would also encourage others to share their story of them getting the vaccine on any social media channels they have, because this can help to encourage others to get theirs.”

Residents are encouraged to read the council’s list of frequently asked questions on the vaccine to ensure that they are well informed.

Additional testing in Ealing

Testing will help Ealing to move out of lockdown and move out of lockdown safely.

Residents can now get a quick COVID-19 test from a number of pharmacies across the borough. Appointment are not need but are advised. Find our more on the Ealing Council website.

• Ariana Pharmacy – 472 Greenford Road, Greenford, UB6 8SQ

• Banks Chemist – 59 Old Oak Common Lane,, East Acton, W3 7DD

• Bright Health – 1318 Greenford Road, Greenford , UB6 0HL

• Jade Pharmacy – 3 Crossland Parade, Crosslands Ave, Southall, UB2 5RB

• Marcus Jones – 96 Old Oak Common Lane, Acton , W3 7DA

• Nothfield Pharmacy – 30 Northfield Avenue, Ealing, , W13 9RL

• Puri Pharmacy – 39 Western Road, Southall , UB2 5HE

• South Ealing Pharmacy – 186 South Ealing Road, Ealing W5 4RJ

• Wellcare Pharmacy – 155 High Street, Acton, W3 6LP

• Mattock Lane – 8 St Johns Parade Mattock Lane, W13 9LL

• Walkers Pharmacy – 6 The Broadway, Gunnersbury Lane, W3 8HR

A small number of people in our borough have been found to have the South African variant. There is no evidence it makes people sicker or that vaccines won’t offer some protection but, it does spread more easily.

In February and March we are making it easier for people to get a test, including more local mobile testing units. Whilst the most important thing is for residents to follow the guidance and stay home wherever possible we are also encouraging all people aged over 16 years who have a valid reason for leaving their home to get a test even if they do not have symptoms and to get a test regularly.