“Don’t listen to anti-vaxxers” is the strong message from the Isle of Wight Council’s lead health and social care councillor.
It comes as Covid rates on the Island fluctuate slightly, but still remain high, with latest government data showing the seven-day rolling rate stands at 562 cases per 100,000 people.
2,578 new positive Covid cases this month
Nearly 15,000 positive cases have now been found on the Island since the start of the pandemic with 2,578 new positive Covid cases in October alone.
As the spread of Covid again continues to pick up speed, Isle of Wight councillors are urging those who are not already vaccinated to get a jab.
Love: Don’t listen to anti-vaxxers
Speaking at the cabinet meeting on Monday, Cllr Karl Love, adult social care and public health cabinet member, said if people had concerns about the vaccine to ask their local health professionals and not listen to anti-vaxxers.
A number of the council’s cabinet executive have recently contracted the virus, with those members attending Monday’s meeting, joining virtually.
Cllr Jonathan Bacon tested positive and said even though he was double jabbed, which he was sure made it a lot easier to get through, what he had been through was not nice.
Peacey-Wilcox: Virus ‘absolutely everywhere’
Leader of the council, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox said the virus ‘really is vile’ and it was ‘absolutely everywhere’.
She urged people to continue taking lateral flow tests regularly as they do not always pick up on the virus the first time around.
Andre: Praise for schools
Cabinet member for children’s education and services, Cllr Debbie Andre, thanked secondary schools for their help and efforts in the 12 to 15-year-old rollout of the vaccine.
She said letters would be sent to parents of pupils who have missed out so far explaining how to book one in as well as the families who home educate their children, and meet the current age criteria.
Most recent Covid vaccination figures from NHS England, up until October 17, show more than 3,300 under 18-year-olds on the Island have had one jab.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
Image: Belinda Fewings under CC BY 2.0
