THE vaccination programme in Ludlow has now started protecting people under the age of 70 but with no health conditions that put them especially at risk.

This is an indication of the speed of the roll out.

Station Drive Surgery has told its patients that following a clinic at Ludlow Hospital on Sunday, it was in a position to move onto cohort 5, vaccinating patients below 69, from next week.

“We aren’t unique in meeting this achievement; and although our team has moved mountains to attain these figures. with all doctors, nurses and reception staff working at the surgery, the Church Stretton vaccination clinics, our clinics at Ludlow hospital, the Ludlow racecourse site alongside shifts across the county for other areas, all the practices across south west Shropshire, Clun, Bishops Castle, Church Stretton, Craven Arms and Ludlow, have achieved this coverage alongside us,’ said a posting from the surgery.

‘Our care homes are done, our home visits are being completed for the housebound patients and our surgery continues to offer routine appointments, emergency appointments, usual clinics and evening appointments.’

But the surgery says that it is not publishing running totals to celebrate its success because: ‘we are mindful that the pandemic has been a tragic time for many of our patients who have lost loved ones and sadly the vaccinations have come too late for some.

‘So in respect of the patients and relatives we have lost to this virus we would prefer to continue doing things like we always have; in a quiet consistent, calm manner with minimal fuss - focusing on the task in hand only.’

There will be a small number of people from the older age group or vulnerable categories who missed out on a vaccine because they were too unwell at the time but they will be done.

Patients need to wait and will be contacted and are asked not to call the surgery to find when they have an appointment for a vaccine but they will get a jab as soon as possible.