Omicron in Suffolk: NHS chief nurse urges people to come forward and get booster jab
Vaccine clinics will be open across many towns in the county this weekend including in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds
Last updated 18th Dec 2021
More than 92,000 Covid-19 cases were recorded in Suffolk over the last week. As new restrictions came into effect this week to combat concerns over the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant of the virus, the messaging from the UK Government was clear, get the booster jab.
To that end, local NHS trusts have been working to meet the ambitious target of offering boosters to everyone who is eligible, by the end of the year. Lisa Nobes is the Chief Nurse for Suffolk and North-East Essex NHS Integrated Care System.
She explains why it's important that people get their booster jab, despite suggestions that you could still be infected even with the protection of a third vaccine shot: "The people that we are seeing in our critical care services are tending to be people that are unvaccinated.
"By getting the booster, it doesn't mean that you won't get COVID, but what it means is that you will not get a seriously ill."
Another important benefit that the booster jab offers is protection from Long Covid-19. Ms Nobes says, "It is a really debilitating illness that destroys peoples lives for months. We've seen people have to go to bed after just putting their socks on.
"It drains you and causes breathlessness and lots of really horrible symptoms. That is becoming more and more prevalent among young people, so we know that vaccine and the booster gives you some protection against developing long COVID."
Ms Nobes explains that they've been working to build up capacity over the last few weeks to ensure that there is enough staff to administer vaccines so that the target of providing everyone eligible, with boosters is met.
"We are building our clinic numbers, we're putting our clinics across seven days a week and we're increasing the number of vaccinators on every site.
"We're also really doing lots of pop-up clinics, particularly this weekend, so I'm not at all worried that we don't have enough people to give the vaccinations."
She does however add that they have seen low turnouts at some clinics and is encouraging everyone to book an appointment or walk-in to a clinic as soon as possible.
"I'm worried about people not coming forward for vaccines because our GP's are telling us that they still have some empty clinics and the worst thing that we can do.
"We're asking our workforce to do additional hours and to really. push for the next three weeks to get everybody through and we need to make sure that we're using that resource."
For those who are apprehensive about getting the vaccine owing to the side-effects it causes, she has the following advice. " My real suggestion to you all is that if you catch Covid-19, you'll be much more sicker if you haven't had your booster, then you will be from the side effects of the vaccine itself."
As is usual during Christmas time, people will be travelling to or from the county. She says as long as they are registered with the NHS, they'll be able to receive their booster irrespective of where their GP is located.
She is also urging those who are not registered with a GP to come forward. "It might take us a bit longer and it might mean that we've got to ask you more questions because we haven't got your history but we want to give the booster and the 1st and 2nd vaccines.
"So to everybody so registered or not still come forward."
For those worried about getting to their vaccination clinics, Suffolk County Council is offering them a free bus or taxi ride to their destination. All you have to is show the bus driver a confirmation of your booking appointment or check and use a taxi service listed as offering free rides on the council website.