GLOWING tribute has been paid to organisations and individuals involved in delivering a hugely-successful Covid vaccination programme across the Keighley area.

GP partnership Modality staged a ‘thank you’ event at Long Lee Medical Centre, which has become one of the UK’s leading vaccination sites.

A ‘health coach’ team from the voluntary and community sector was invited to the socially-distanced event – the first time they’d come face-to-face other than via Zoom or WhatsApp.

Up to 30 people were seconded into the team to help improve uptake of the jab and ensure everything possible was being done to reduce the ‘vaccination gap’, particularly in more disadvantaged areas.

Figures indicate that the initiative was a success.

Modality medical director, Dr Matt Curtis, said the uptake level compared “very favourably” with the regional and national picture and was testament to the “innovative approach” adopted in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.

He added: “We are keen to remove barriers and work closely with communities to encourage the uptake of the vaccination.

“By working with our voluntary and community colleagues, we can spread our message and information about the vaccine to parts of the local population which may not have access to the facts surrounding the vaccine and the vaccination programme.

“We are willing to work with everyone and create an environment where there are no barriers to vaccine take-up.

“This is the most successful vaccination programme ever and we were determined no communities would be left behind.

“We remain committed to providing clinics within communities to improve vaccination uptake and reduce the gap where that uptake is lower.”

Colleague Dr Tom Ratcliffe said: “We have seen a big improvement in uptake among the parts of the community we feared would be most hesitant to come forward – and very high rates of vaccination overall.

“This was really important work that has saved lives.

“I’m really proud to have been part of this and showing the effectiveness of health and community working together.”

Modality’s lead pharmacist, Umar Iqbal, said over 40,000 people had now been vaccinated locally.

He added: “We want to make sure that everyone has the chance to protect themselves from having a serious illness or needing to be hospitalised.”

Partner voluntary and community sector organisations involved in the programme have included the Salvation Army, Project 6, Keighley Asian Women and Children’s Centre, Safeguarding the Community, Carers’ Resource, Highfield Community Association, Keighley Healthy Living and Dementia Friendly Keighley.

At the Long Lee event, town mayor Councillor Peter Corkindale, Long Lee and Parkwood town councillor Chris Graham and Karen Foulger – who chairs the patient participation group – all voiced thanks on behalf of residents and patients.