Vaccine rollout has certainly been a national success story. It is fantastic news that more than a third of adults across the UK have now received their first vaccine dose to protect them from Covid-19.

These vaccines are a key tool to getting back some normality in all our lives.

I am pushing the government to make sure that vaccine rollout is a success in Barking and Dagenham too. Demanding that extra attention and resources be given to ensuring all carers are vaccinated in our borough.

Vaccinating all carers is essential to keeping the most vulnerable safe and allowing our care homes to gradually re-open to loved ones.

I have urged the national vaccine minister to ensure our local health services have the correct number of vaccines they need each week, and with sufficient advance notice. That way we can work more efficiently and protect as many people as early as is possible.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Margaret Hodge will keep doing everything to ensure vaccine rollout is a success in Barking and DagenhamMargaret Hodge will keep doing everything to ensure vaccine rollout is a success in Barking and Dagenham (Image: Parliament)

I have pushed the government to publish accurate information as to where vaccine take up has been lowest. Only then can we effectively target resources to boost vaccine take up across the board.

I am also working with the local council to ensure we bust the myths around the Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe, painless and effective. So I want to ensure everyone is confident and comfortable with being vaccinated.

And I have been making sure that everyone is contacted by their local GP (or NHS England) when it is their turn to be vaccinated. It is essential nobody is missed off, so if you think you should have been invited for a vaccine already, but have not been, then get in touch with me and I will do all I can to help you.

Vaccination against Covid-19 is keeping our community safe, making life easier for our local hospitals and key to getting us all out of lockdown once and for all.

Please make sure you get vaccinated when asked. And I will keep doing everything that I can to ensure vaccine rollout is a success here in Barking and Dagenham.