With the COVID-19 vaccination programme continuing to gather pace in Shropshire, the council’s director of public health is reminding residents who have received their vaccine that it is vital to keep following the rules to avoid putting themselves and others at risk.

While being vaccinated provides good protection from becoming unwell with COVID-19 and we’re all looking forward to being able to see our friends and family again, it’s very important that when you have been vaccinated you continue to follow social distancing rules and any Government guidance on restrictions.

This includes:

• Staying at Home and only making essential journeys
• Maintaining social distancing measures from those not in your household or support bubble
• Self-isolating if you’re required to do so
• Booking a test and self-isolating if you have symptoms of coronavirus
• Wearing a face covering if you are able, where it is required to do so.

This is because:

• You will not be protected straight away. It usually takes three weeks to develop immunity.
• No vaccine is 100% effective. Even after you’ve waited those first three weeks, and even after your second dose later, your vaccinations may not offer you complete protection from becoming unwell with COVID-19.
• Restrictions will remain in place as long as there are large numbers of people in the UK with the virus.
• We don’t yet know how well the COVID-19 vaccines work at preventing transmission of the virus. It’s therefore possible that after vaccination you could develop COVID-19 but have no symptoms, so still be able to pass the virus on unknowingly to someone else.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change said:

‘The NHS rollout of the vaccination programme marks a significant step forward in the fight against COVID-19. The opening of our two large vaccination centres in Shrewsbury and Ludlow means we now have the capacity to vaccinate tends of thousands of more people across the county.

“I know how keen everyone is to get their jab and get back to normal, but for those who have received their first dose, it can take three weeks to build up protection from the virus, and it is not yet known whether people who have had the vaccine can still transmit the virus.

“It’s vital to continue following the rules after being vaccinated, to ensure that you don’t unknowingly pass on the virus to anybody else. This is especially important if you are caring for or seeing someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, over 50 or has an underlying health condition, because you could be putting them at risk of severe illness or even death.”

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:

“The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones. The vaccination programme is continuing to rollout over the weeks and months ahead, with more and more people benefitting. The vaccine is being offered to those in the top nine priority groups first (Phase 1), before being rolled out to the rest of the adult population in Phase 2.

“We all want an end to lockdown, so it is now more important than ever that we continue to observe these simple behaviours, to prevent further spread of the virus and protect our communities. Remember: just because you’ve had a vaccine, does not mean it is safe for you to socialise. We do not yet know whether it will stop you from catching and passing on the virus, but we do expect it to reduce this risk. So, it is still important to follow the guidance in your local area to protect those around you.”

For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating or shielding), call Shropshire Council’s COVID-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 (lines open on the weekend on Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday 9am-12pm) or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.