County Council to start contacting people who aren't vaccinated
Aim is to remove barriers and provide reassurance
People who are yet to take up either their first, second or booster COVID-19 vaccine are set to be contacted by Cumbria County Council from Monday 20 December to offer support to help them get their jab.
The phone calls, a joint project by the NHS and the county council, will aim remove barriers to people taking the vaccine, whether it’s just reassurance that’s needed, help with online booking or transport to a local vaccination centre.
Those who receive a call will have the chance to ask questions or raise any concerns they may have.
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has prompted a focus on the national booster programme, with the aim to offer every adult a booster vaccine by the end of the year.
Anyone who gets COVID-19 can become seriously ill or suffer with long-term effects. The COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others.
Research has shown the vaccines help reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19, reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 and protect against COVID-19 variants.
Genuine callers from Cumbria County Council will not ask you for any money or financial details during the call.
Director of Public Health at Cumbria County Council, Colin Cox, said: “The calls we make as part of this vaccine drive will in no way force or push people who do not want the vaccine to get it if they don’t want to.
“The main aim of the calls is to enable people who are considering the vaccine but have barriers stopping them getting theirs, to go and get their jab.
“We’ve seen over the last few months that appetite for the vaccines is extremely high, with more than 90% of Cumbrians having had at least 1 dose, but there are people in our communities who for one reason or another not been able to take up the offer.
“We hope these calls will enable people to have friendly, informative conversations about the vaccines and remove as many barriers to vaccination as possible.
“If you haven’t had any vaccine doses yet it’s not too late. Nobody will judge or criticise you for coming forward for your first dose now.”
If you’re eligible for your first, second or booster vaccine, you can book yours via the NHS national booking service.