Concerns over low take up of booster jabs in some parts of Lincolnshire

Extra facilities are being extended for another week to increase numbers

Vaccination
Author: Andy MarshPublished 31st Dec 2021

There are concerns about relatively high numbers of people in certain parts of Lincolnshire who haven't yet had the covid booster jab.

Over 80 per cent of eligible locals have already had a third dose but there are worries over places like Boston.

Extra capacity has now has been extended until the end of next week across the county.

Generally speaking health bosses are fairly pleased with the numbers coming forward.

Around 435 thousand people in the county have so far received their booster

But some areas have seen lower numbers.

Director of Vaccination for Lincolnshire Rebecca Neno hopes people will think again if they've not yet come forward.

She says "90 per cent of people in hospital have not had a booster vaccination or in some cases no vaccine at all".

"That's certainly a strong reason for why people should get the booster".

"There's also the problem of long covid for some - why take a chance?"

She says there are a small number of people who seem hesitant.

"In many cases they're not anti vaxxers but they might want to wait a bit longer to understand any possible side effects".

"This is a new vaccine and I understand that but this is a vaccine that's been administered to millions of people."

One of the areas that's causing concern is low take up is Boston.

Rebecca says "we have levels of deprivation in Boston and there's an eclectic mix of different nationalities who live in Boston and they all have different values around vaccination in general let alone a Covid vaccination."

"It's about working with those communities".

She hopes more people will come forward with extra capacity continuing into next week. although the major centres will remain open even after that.