Vaccination slots in Essex fall empty as we head towards Christmas
The Chief Nurse of NHS Suffolk and North-East Essex Integrated Care System is calling on more people to come forward for their booster
Last updated 23rd Dec 2021
More people are hesitating from booking an appointment for their Covid-19 booster jab or just not turning up for a booked slot, according to the Chief Nurse at one of Essex's vaccination program.
Lisa Nobes is from NHS Suffolk and North-East Essex Integrated Care System. She believes people are worried about the potential side-effects of getting the booster before Christmas day, and seeks to put people at ease.
"I would like to reassure the public that for the majority of people, they may have a sore arm, a headache, or not feel great for 24 hours but if they take paracetamol and drink plenty of water, the side-effects will just be short-term.
She goes on to explain why its important that people get jabbed before gathering with family or friends. "Every day you delay, it means another day that you may get the Omicron virus or the Delta variant, because your immunity will have waned and there is a possibility that you will become seriously ill.
"So I know it's a difficult decision to make, but remember that you need to protect yourself and your family and your friends from serious illness."
For those interested in getting a booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine ahead of Christmas, she says plenty of booking and walk-in slots are available. "The best way to find out where your nearest clinics are is to go on our website, sneevaccine.org.uk. And It's not just for boosters. You can go to one of those clinics and the waiting times aren't terribly long so make make sure that you take the opportunity to go.
"Bring yourself and what is incredibly helpful is if you have your NHS number because it'll help us find you a bit quicker on the system and speeds up the process for everyone."
Clinics will still be open after Christmas day, on the 27th and 28th of December. But Ms Nobes says it will be a lot to ask staff to work on those bank holidays instead of spending time with their family, given the sacrifices they have already made in the last two years.
"We might be asking our staff to work those bank holidays because people aren't coming forward before Christmas, and that's quite a difficult message for staff for them to see their service is not being fully used in this period and then them having to work on the bank holidays."