MORE than 17,000 Covid-19 vaccinations were delivered across the final weekend before Freedom Day to try to get as many people as possible vaccinated...but more than 300,000 people have yet to receive a first dose.

The Big Walk-in Weekend, which took place from Friday July 16 to Monday July 19, saw more than 40 locations across the Black Country and West Birmingham offer walk-in vaccinations to adults.

More than 300,000 people across the area, however, are still yet to receive their first dose, and with Covid-19 restrictions now lifted despite a surge in coronavirus cases, local health chiefs are urging people to continue to come forward and get their jab.

Sally Roberts, chief nurse for Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Delivering over 17,000 jabs across one weekend is a brilliant achievement, so a big thank you to everyone who played their part. Our aim was to get as many people from across the area vaccinated ahead of Freedom Day, so they can get back to doing the things they love safely.

“Restrictions may have eased but with cases rising across the area now is not the time be complacent. The more you are mixing with other people, the higher the chance you have of contracting the virus and passing it on to others. That’s why it’s more important than ever to get your vaccine, and make sure you get the vital second dose after eight weeks.

“Getting both doses of the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, and others, from this lifethreatening virus. This will not only reduce your chance of catching the virus, it will reduce your chance of becoming seriously unwell – or even dying - if you do catch it.

“It’s not too late to come forward and get your vaccine. So, if you haven’t had your first dose yet or your second dose is now due, please don’t delay.”

In Dudley there have been 1,677 positive cases confirmed in the last week, up from 890 the previous week, and the infection rate has nearly doubled from 276.7 cases per 100,000 last week to 521.5 cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days.

Meanwhile in Sandwell there have been 1,730 cases confirmed in the last seven days, up from 1,238 in the previous week, with the infection rate standing at 526.7 cases per 100,000 compared to last week when it was 376.9 cases per 100,000.

A full list of all the places to get a Covid-19 vaccination in the Black Country and West Birmingham, including bookable and walk-in services, can be found online at https://www.blackcountryandwestbirmccg.nhs.uk/your-health-services/health-advice/covid-19-vaccination.