TRIBUTES TO

CORONAVIRUS LATEST CORONAVIRUS LATEST ‘My clinically vulnerable son should be higher on vaccine list’

EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

THE CLINICALLY extremely vulnerable should be higher on the priority list, said a Wokingham mother.

Lynn Antink believes her son, who suffers from a hormone deficiency disorder, should be vaccinated at the same time as the elderly population.

Colin Antink, 28, has Addison's disease, and is included in the Government’s list of clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.

He, and his Mum, have been shielding themselves from contact, but fear that is not enough to prevent a covid-related death.

According to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, Mr Antink is included in the fourth category to be vaccinated, after care home residents and staff, and those over 80 and 75.

The fourth category is for the over 70s and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.

This is not enough, Ms Antink said.

“I can’t see why he’s at the bottom, after the elderly,” she said. “They should be at the same time. A lot of them are a lot fitter than he’ll ever be. He could die just as quickly.”

Cllr Charles Margetts, health executive at the borough council, said the order for immunisations was decided nationally, with the intention to reduce mortality.

“The groups that are at the top, are those that are most at risk of death from Covid,” he said. “I do understand people’s frustrations. However, the issue about who gets it first would slip away if the supply was stepped up.”

He said in the borough, roughly 90% of the over 80s have had a jab, along with 90% of care home residents and 55% of the 75s to 80s.

“We are just about to start vaccinating the clinically extremely vulnerable,” he said. “Central Government has a policy to make it happen roughly simultaneously.

“Some of the primary care networks have progressed further than others, and the Government is trying to equalise that.”

This, he said, meant the borough received fewer doses last week, than the week before — in order to even out progress across the country.

After group four has been given the jab, the next eligible group is the over 65s, followed by anyone aged 16 to 64 with an underlying health condition.

After this, the over 60s, over 55s and over 50s will be eligible consecutively.

As part of the plan to speed up vaccinations, the borough council is soon to open a mass vaccination centre in the borough. This may be able to give 750 people a jab per day.

IT’S HERE: Staff at Austen House care home in Lower Earley celebrate the start of the vaccination programme

Austen House staff mark vaccine arrival

STAFF and residents at a Lower Earley care home were among the first to get their jabs.

Those at Barchester’s Austen House were pleased to receive their vaccinations, and Natsayi Dunria, general manager, said it felt like “the light at the end of the tunnel”.

“Our teams have been magnificent in how they have risen to every challenge during this pandemic and we are proud to play our part in this next phase to ensure the most vulnerable are protected,” she said.

Lauren, staff member at Austen House, added: “I am so pleased to be given the vaccine.

“It will help to keep our residents safe, and is the first step in getting things back to normal and having a buzz of visitors in our home once again.”

Council starts lateral flow test scheme

IN A BID to stop transmission of the coronavirus, Wokingham Borough Council is expanding its regular testing services, writes Charlotte King.

As part of its Lateral Flow Testing pilot scheme, it will begin offering rapid tests to all key workers who must leave home for work or critical duties.

This includes postal workers, private nursery staff and childminders, and supermarket staff.

The council hopes that by doing so, any asymptomatic patients can be caught early to prevent them spreading the virus.

Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “Breaking the Covid chain is so important to stop the virus from spreading and we urge residents that need to leave home for work to come forward for a test.”

He says Lateral Flow Tests should be done once or twice a week.

“By offering regular rapid testing to key workers who do not currently have access to it through national testing programmes, we wish to lower the risk of Covid-19 and help restrict the spread of the virus within the borough,” Cllr Margetts added.

“As we continue to expand our Lateral Flow Testing pilot and help even more people get tested, we’ve also created an additional number of job opportunities for local people.”

Wokingham Borough Council is in the process of creating two new rapid test sites, alongside a mobile outbreak response unit.

“We will keep our residents informed about our Lateral Flow Testing programme as and when it is necessary,” Cllr Margetts continued.

“We must stress, however, that a negative result does not give people immunity and should not be used as an excuse to bend the rules under current restrictions.

Tributes to Woodley teacher

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Woodley teacher who has died as a result of covid.

Victor Browne, who taught at The Bulmershe School for the past eight years, was the pastoral head of Year 10, and well respected by pupils and staff alike. He was well known for his bright coloured clothes and jokes.

He died on Thursday, January 21, and flowers and cards have been left outside the entrance of the school by pupils paying their respects and the school held a special assembly on Monday.

Students also created a memorial video featuring pictures of him with pupils, along with messages in his memory.

Bulmershe’s headteacher, Amanda Woodfin, said Mr Browne students or staff to describe Vic in one word they would all say in unison, legend,” she said. “In his work Vic always put the students first, his selfless generosity had an uncompromising belief in all that is good. He had an unwavering commitment to the students and the rest of the school community.

“My tribute does not truly capture the sense of loss that we are all feeling. We celebrate that we were privileged enough to work with him for the past eight years.”

“We understand how difficult this can be and have a range of support measures in place to help residents, from access to food and help through the One Front Door scheme to a one-off Self Isolation Support Payment for those who cannot work from home.” � For more information about self-isolation support, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/health/ public-health-campaigns/coronavirusgrants-and-payments/apply-fordiscretionary-test-and-trace-supportpayments � For more information about lateral flow tests, visit: www.wokingham. gov.uk/health/public-healthcampaigns/lateral-flow-testing