Residents are being invited to join an online session about the coronavirus vaccine roll-out in Barking and Dagenham.



Two local GPs and the borough’s director for public health will join council leader, Councillor Darren Rodwell, and Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Integration, for a one-hour question-and-answer session in a bid to dispel any myths and address any concerns people might have.



The free online event takes place on Thursday, 18 February at 7pm. There’s no need to register and residents can join the session by visiting on the night.



The panel includes local GPs Dr Tina Teotia and Dr Jagan John, who is the chair of the borough’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is tasked with deciding what hospital and NHS services the local area needs.



Cllr Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Integration, said: “With the roll-out of the different vaccines underway and talk of different variants, people will understandably have lots of questions and concerns.



“We want people to be able to make intelligent, informed choices, so rather than listening to some random person on Facebook, this online chat is the perfect opportunity for residents to get proper, expert medical advice from professionals.”



The event is being organised by Barking and Dagenham Council in partnership with Together First, the federation representing GP practices in Barking and Dagenham, and the borough’s CCG.



So far 17,667 people have been vaccinated across the borough, however, Cllr Worby cautioned against becoming complacent against the virus.



“Around one in three people have coronavirus without even knowing they have it and while numbers in our borough are going in the right direction, now is not the time to start taking risks.



“We have test centres across the borough whether you have symptoms or not and, in some cases, you can get your results in one-hour. I urge everyone to make the most of them while we continue to tackle this pandemic,” added Cllr Worby.



More information about the Q&A session.

More information about testing.