Health Bosses in Lincolnshire advising us to get our booster jab as soon as possible
it's feared otherwise the NHS in the county will be put under extreme pressure
We're being urged to get our Covid booster jabs as soon as possible - over fears a rise in cases, coupled with winter pressures, will cripple the NHS across Lincolnshire.
Yesterday, the scheme was launched in the county - offering over 50s, people living and working in care homes for the elderly, and frontline health and social care workers a third dose.
GP Darren Altus says speed is of the essence:
"Get it done as quickly as we can - we're using the 6 month trigger and as soon as that 6 month trigger is crossed we are inviting people. We want to get it done before Christmas if we can. We want to protect the NHS and we know winter is a difficult time already so we don't want to add to that"
Dr Adrian Van Biljon a GP in Grantham says he's eager to give out the jabs:
"It's so important to bolster the immunity of people especially more at risk in age groups or disease categories to make sure their immunity remains intact against the coronavirus"
"You have to come for your booster only with an appointment - we can't see you without an appointment - there's no walk in facilities with the booster campaign"
In line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice, the following people will be offered a booster dose of the covid vaccine:
· those living in residential care homes for older adults
· all adults aged 50 years or over
· frontline health and social care workers
· all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (as set out in the green book), and adult carers
· adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
Rebecca Neno is Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS Lincolnshire CCG she says:
“The booster campaign will offer eligible people a Pfizer vaccination, irrespective of whether you have previously had Pfizer or AstraZeneca,” explains Rebecca. “The key thing to bear in mind is that the booster vaccination should be given at least six months after your second dose, with the optimum window being between six and nine months"
“With this in mind, please do not worry if you don’t get your booster vaccination as soon as your six months comes up and please do not contact the NHS or your GP practice – you will be contacted when it is your turn, just like with the initial round of vaccinations at the end of last year/beginning of this year"
“The booster vaccinations will ultimately be available by appointment only at various vaccination sites across the county, and we will introduce them across these sites on an incremental basis, just like we did with the first covid vaccinations, and in line with vaccine supply. Booster vaccination will not be available on a walk-in basis and patients must have a confirmed appointment before attending our vaccination centres. This is so we can manage the logistics, vaccine supply and capacity at each centre"
“However, we will continue to offer first and second doses on a walk-in basis or by appointment, so if you haven’t had one or both of your vaccinations already, please come and see us. Don’t forget, once it is your turn for a booster you will be called, please don’t call the NHS or your GP practice,” adds Rebecca.