A VACCINE bus could be doing the rounds across the Royal Borough to jab residents in some of the worst Covid hit areas.

Public health officials and councillors were given a Covid-19 and vaccine update at a Royal Borough outbreak engagement board meeting on Monday, September 20.

Louisa Dean, head of communications, said the council is looking at introducing a vaccine bus that will drive to areas and administer jabs to residents. Dates and locations are yet to be determined.

Cllr Christine Bateson (Con: Sunningdale & Cheapside) asked if the bus would visit the rural areas in the borough, such as her ward to the south, or if it will circle around Maidenhead.

Anna Richards, consultant in public health

Anna Richards, consultant in public health

Anna Richards, consultant in public health, said: “We’re looking at the data to understand to where the bus can go to, to get the greatest impact.

“So, in particular, we’re looking at those wards where the uptake hasn’t been as high as other areas and/or where the rates are slightly higher to ensure that the bus has the most impact.

“But I think those places can be advertised generally across the borough. So, if other people who are outside those wards want to use the bus to get their vaccination if they haven’t already taken up the offer, then they are free to do so.

“It’s available for all residents.”

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According to Berkshire public health, 85 per cent of the over 40s in the Royal Borough have been double jabbed and 77 per cent of people aged 18 and over have received both doses, putting the borough in line with the national average.

In a presentation, Anna Richards said the Royal Borough is seeing a dip in infections and has a weekly case rate of 288.2 per 100,000 population.

But it is the highest case rate in Berkshire with Reading having the second highest at 269.4 per 100,000.

The worst hit age group in the borough are the 15 to 19-year-olds as data shows from September 3 to 9 it had a high rate of 923 per 100,000.

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Only two per cent of the under 18’s have been double jabbed, which is the highest vaccine rate in Berkshire for that cohort.

Warnings were made for people who are double jabbed to still be careful as they can still get Covid-19 but won’t be as severely ill compared to an unprotected person.

Caroline Farrar, place managing director at Frimley CCG and Royal Borough, said: “If you’re vaccinated, you have a lower chance of getting Covid but not zero, and you’ve got an even lower chance of being severely affected and being hospitalised.”