Every eligible care home in Staffordshire has now been offered the Covid-19 vaccine, with the majority of residents having their first dose.

More than 90% of care home residents in the county have had their first vaccine. The remaining residents are currently recovering from Covid-19 and need to wait 28 days before they can be vaccinated.

The vaccine, as well as regular testing of staff and residents, is an effort to keep the county's most elderly and vulnerable residents safe from Covid-19 infection.

Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council said: "We have to do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable in our communities from Covid-19, so news that nearly all of our care homes and their residents have had their first dose of the vaccine is incredibly welcome. Work is being done to ensure the remaining residents who have not had the vaccine yet are able to do so as soon as possible.

"Even with the vaccine, it's important that everyone does not let their guard down. This is why care homes across the county are also having regular testing of staff and residents, and are continuing to follow the rules around social distancing, protective equipment, and regular handwashing.

"We are continuing to encourage everyone in the community without symptoms to get tested, and for those who have to be out and about, to book regular tests at one of our community testing or pop up testing centres. We have to do everything we can to beat this virus, and until the vaccine has been rolled out to more people, testing is the best way we can discover cases and stop the spread."

People without symptoms can book a test at one of the county's semi-permanent community testing sites, or at pop up events around the county by clicking here.