PARTS of the Dudley borough are lagging behind when it comes to uptake of the Covid-19 jab, official figures show.

Politicians and medics have hailed uptake of the coronavirus vaccine as vital for preventing a return to restrictions and although infection rates have been falling recently in the Dudley borough - some neighbourhoods are way behind others for vaccination rates, according to data from the Government's Covid-19 dashboard.

Kates Hill in Dudley has lowest rate of people double jabbed, with just 49.7 per cent of residents having received two vaccines, compared to Wall Heath where 85.7 per cent of people have had both first and second doses of the vaccine.

Across Dudley as a whole 403,700 vaccinations have been given out in total (219,555 first dose and 184,155 second dose vaccines), with 69.8 per cent of the borough's population fully vaccinated.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley's cabinet member for health and adult social care,said: "87 percent of adults in the borough have had their first dose of the vaccine, this is the highest in the Black Country.

"We obviously want to get to the point where everyone has had both doses and working with colleagues in the NHS we’re making it as easy as possible for people to have their jab."

Meanwhile, one in five (21 per cent) of Dudley's social care staff remain unvaccinated, data has revealed.

According to NHS figures, 79 per cent of staff working in care homes for the elderly in the borough are reported to have had both first and second jabs.

While 68.1 per cent of Dudley's care homes for the elderly have reported at least 80 per cent of staff and at least 90 per cent of residents having had at least one dose of the vaccine.

Cllr Barlow said: “We’re pleased with the uptake of the vaccine in our care homes. 95 per cent of care home residents have had their first dose and 91 per cent have had their second dose and 87 percent of staff have had their first dose and 79 percent their second.

"We will continue to work in partnership with all social care agencies in the borough to maximise uptake of the vaccine."

He urged people to take the opportunity to get vaccinated as soon as they can and said: "We’ve had the vaccine van in various locations in the last few weeks where people can just turn up to be vaccinated, no appointment is necessary and other locations are offering walk-in vaccinations too.” 

The following locations are currently offering walk-in vaccines over the coming days, with no need for an appointment.

Jhoots Pharmacy, Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre, Brierley Hill:

2pm to 10pm every day (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

St Francis Church, Poplar Road, Dudley:

8.30am to 5.30pm (Saturday July 31) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

9am to 6pm (Monday August 2) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

9am to 6pm (Tuesday August 3) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

9am to 6pm (Wednesday August 4) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

9am to 6pm (Thursday August 5) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

9am to 6pm (Friday August 6) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

Halesowen Cultural Centre, Highfield Lane, Halesowen:

9.30am to 5.30am (every Thursday until September 2) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer, 2nd dose AZ)

New Road Methodist Church, New Road, Stourbridge:

9am to 6pm (Saturday July 31) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

9am to 6pm (Wednesday August 4) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer​​​​​​​)

9am to 6pm (Thursday August 5) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

9am to 6pm (Friday August 6) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

Central Clinic, (rear car park), Hall Street, Dudley:

10am to 6pm (Wednesday August 4) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

10am to 6pm (Thursday August 5) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer​​​​​​​)

Green Park Community Centre, Watson’s Green Road, Dudley:

10am to 6pm (Friday August 6) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer)

9.30am to 5.30pm (Saturday August 7) (1st/2nd dose Pfizer​​​​​​​)