Stockport Director of Public Health welcomes Novavax vaccine in latest coronavirus statement

Stockport’s Director of Public Health, Jennifer Connolly has welcomed the success in trials of a coronavirus vaccine produced by Novavax.

Commenting on the breakthrough, Jennifer Connolly acknowledged the volunteers and medical professionals in Stockport who have taken part in the trial, including colleagues from Stockport Council. She said:

“This week we have had the amazing news that another potential vaccine, developed by Novavax has been found to be 89.3% effective at preventing COVID-19.

“This has particular resonance in Stockport as researchers at Stepping Hill Hospital, led by principal investigator Doctor David Baxter, recruited 762 participants to the study, the second largest contributor in the UK. Among the volunteers were Councillor David Meller, ward member for Cheadle Hulme North, and Stockport Council’s senior planning enforcement officer Dave Westhead.

“The Novavax study is the largest ever double blind, placebo-controlled trial to be undertaken in the UK. It recruited more than 15,000 participants from 35 research UK sites in just over two months and was the first phase 3 study for the US-based biotechnology firm Novavax’s vaccine anywhere in the world. The interim efficacy and safety data will now be submitted to all regulators across the world – including the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK – for independent scrutiny and product approval.

“We know that people will have questions about the vaccines that are currently available, and we’ve put together an FAQ that helps to answer these queries here“

She also welcomed the news that coronavirus infection rates were continuing to fall in the borough, albeit at a slower rate than previously. The Council is continuing to reinforce its message to stay at home as much as possible, adhering to the simple hands, face, space and ventilation guidance to limit transmission, and to remind of access to mental health and other support available.

Jennifer Connolly continued:

Once again a huge thank each and every one of you for the hard work, sacrifices you have made in not seeing your families and friend and the upheaval in your working lives and education of children, as well as continuing to follow the lockdown restrictions.

We are still seeing declines in our rates of coronavirus in Stockport, though the rate of decline appears to be slowing. Rates are now at *233 per 100,000 and we are also seeing around *98 new cases each day. The latest published data can be found on the GOV website.

The new strain is 50-70% more infectious than previously and now estimated to account for around 78% of cases in Stockport. Although there have been declines in all age groups and wards, there is still a huge amount of pressure on our NHS. As rates are still very high and it takes time for changes in rates of infection to be seen in changes in rates of hospitalisation and deaths, sadly we may expect hospital admissions and deaths to take longer to start to decline.

Our vaccination rollout is accelerating at pace in Stockport and we have now vaccinated more than 55,000 people with their first dose. As the programme is expanded to include more people, please take up the offer. You will receive an invite from the NHS so please do not call in the meantime. Further information about the priority groups can be found on the Vaccinations page.

The JCVI has set out clearly the groups to get the vaccine in priority order – and it’s based on those most likely to die or be hospitalised, plus those working directly with this group. While everyone will get vaccinated, there is not enough vaccine to go to everyone immediately.

So, we ask that we all need to work together so that those most likely to die or be hospitalised, plus those working directly with this group are vaccinated.

Continue to take precautions and help to break the chain of transmission, especially if you are one of the more than 55,000 people in the borough to have already received the first dose of the Covid vaccination. One you have had the vaccination, please be mindful that you can still catch or spread Covid, even if protected against the worst effects of the virus, and it will take time for antibodies to develop in your immune system, so you will not be fully protected yet.

Keep up with your behaviour changes to stop the spread of the virus, by following guidance around social distancing (two metres), wearing face coverings (unless exempt) and be scrupulous about infection control and hygiene, so wash or sanitising hands regularly. Do not enter enclosed spaces without a mask (unless exempt). Stay in well ventilated places – if you’re inside this means having the windows open for at least 15/20 minute every hour. This will all help to keep you and others safe. Further information on reducing the risk of transmission can be found here.

We are also still under lockdown restrictions, so we should be staying at home and restricting contacts outside our homes – you should not leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

Only leave your house for food, exercise, medical reasons or work if unable to do this from home but keep working from home if you are able. For information about what you can and cannot do visit GOV.UK.

For information on how you might look after your health and wellbeing, please visit our Health and Wellbeing pages or for ways to remain healthy, please visit Healthy Stockport.

Please remember that if you’re finding things tough right now, we have lots of offers of help and support, please do reach out. We’ve listed them all here.

If you have a new continuous cough, high temperature, or a change or loss of smell/taste – however mild, stay at home and book a test via GOV.UK or by phoning 119. You and your household members must self-isolate while you await your results. If found positive, stay home for 10 days. Household members must stay at home for 10 days. Minimise transmission within your home by staggering use of the bathroom, giving each person their own towel, and keeping kitchens and bathrooms clean.

If told to self-isolate through the NHS Covid 19 app you must follow the instruction.

The council’s Coronavirus helpline and website can be accessed on 0161 217 6046 from Monday – Thursday from 9.00am – 5pm and Friday from 9.00am – 4:30pm. If you’re deaf or have difficulty hearing, you can use our textphone on 07860 022 876. Find out more by visiting our helpline page.

*This is the latest figure for Stockport validated on 5.2.21.