The Kenilworth and Warwick Primary Care Network has said it is 'very, very proud' of the 'fantastic' achievement to have administered first Covid-19 vaccine doses to 18,000 local residents.

Kenilworth and Warwick PCN was a first wave site, and has been administering vaccines from the Warwickshire Golf Club in Leek Wootton to patients at Abbey, Castle, Avonside, Priory and Chase Meadow medical centres since December 14.

As residents in cohorts seven and eight are contacted to book appointments from this week, an update on the local vaccination rollout has been given.

Of the 62,000 patients in this PCN, around 18,000 have received a first dose of the vaccine, either at the Local Vaccination Centre in Leek Wootton or the Mass Vaccination Centre at Stoneleigh Park.

Up to 900 vaccines have been administered on the busiest days in what has been described as "no mean feat".

Speaking at yesterday's (March 9) Kenilworth Community Forum, Covid-19 Vaccination Lead for Kenilworth and Warwick PCN

Ryan Smith said: "we are doing very well across Coventry and Warwickshire, we were actually mentioned at the Prime Minister's briefing a few weeks ago to say that we are first in the country in terms of take up.

"Specifically, in south Warwickshire we have 97% up-take for those in cohorts one, two, and three, so that is a fantastic achievement, we were all really really proud."

Ryan also thanked the staff at the Warwickshire saying they "have been fantastic in hosting us and helping us to deliver this programme."

The team administering the vaccine in Leek Wootton currently have 250 staff members dedicated to the clinic. This includes 50 doctors, 100 nurses and assistants, and 100 administrators and volunteers, many of whom are from the Covid-19 Kenilworth Support Group.

He did however add that: "As we go through the cohorts now were are still seeing quite a high uptake, although I must admit that it is quite disappointing particularly if we get people who do not attend, who miss appointments, which we do get at every clinic."

Ryan Smith also advised that the lease at the Warwickshire only lasts until the end of March; "we are now looking at alternative venues to help find a new venue for administering the vaccines.

"We envisage to be vaccinating into the winter, we still have thousands and thousands of people to vaccinate both first and second doses, so that will take us up until July in this area.

"And then with the variants of Covid-19 there will probably be a booster jab needed to tackle these that will probably come in the autumn."

Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Richard Dickson said: "I know I speak on behalf of Kenilworth when I say what a staggering achievement to have vaccinated 18,000 people, please pass on our thanks to all the staff and volunteers involved."