Healthwatch Norfolk welcome changes to booster jabs, but warn other issues remain
Those needing a third dose can now pre-book a month before they are eligible and five months after their second vaccine.
Healthwatch Norfolk has welcomed changes that allows us to pre-book our booster jabs, but warn other issues still remain.
Those who need a third dose can now arrange an appointment a month before they are eligible and five months after their second vaccine.
Alex Stewart, the Chief Executive of the patient group admits that in hindsight, the feature should have been introduced from the start.
Nevertheless, he hopes the new found flexibility and the clarity will now lead to more people getting jabbed:
"I think it opens up more opportunities for people to get their booster jabs. So, there's a new centre opening up in Norwich and Kings Lynn. The fact that people can book their jab in advance, it gives them the opportunity to start accessing services that way as well".
He says work must now be done to ensure everyone can get the jab:
"Some people are finding it quite difficult to access the centres where they can obtain these booster jabs and that's from a clinical commissioning group point of view, I understand that there isn't this infinite source of money, so they are having to looking at the most opportune places they can run these booster jab clinics from, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are accessible."
He also told us that this new system helps solve a lot of issues, but doesn't necessarily change some people's mindsets:
"There was an assumption made that people would automatically just register when they were contacted. There was confusion about some people getting sent letters and others texts. There was also confusion over what a booster jab was, versus a third primary care dose. I also think that some people have lulled themselves into this a false sense of security that the pandemic is over".
He concluded by warning that if hesitancy remains in certain groups, there could be serious consequences for everyone:
"I would encourage groups with low uptake of the vaccine, to get the jab. Otherwise I fear that we will be in some form of lockdown later in the year, especially if case numbers start to rise."