Bumper weekend of walk-in vaccinations planned for Norfolk
It's part of efforts to try and get everyone a first dose by mid-July.
A bumper weekend of drop-in Covid-19 vaccination appointments is planned in Norfolk and Waveney as part of efforts to get everyone a first dose by mid-July.
Additional walk-in sessions are taking place this weekend for anyone over the age of 18 who hasn't had their first vaccination.
People due a second dose, which can be brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks, can also go along.
The CCG has joined forces with Public Health and Norfolk County Council to launch a new vaccination uptake campaign aimed at 18-29 year-olds called 'Every Vaccination Counts'.
Messages will appear on social media platforms including Snapchat and Instagram, and on the big screen at Norwich's Chantry Place.
The campaign aims to drive the importance of every single vaccination in making a difference, and the speed and ease with which people can now get a vaccine to protect themselves and others.
Melanie Craig Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “We will be jabbing all over Norfolk and Waveney - in shopping centres, community venues, at hospitals, schools, GP practices and pharmacies from Kings Lynn to Lowestoft - to protect local people.”
“We are all desperate to see the final restrictions lifted on 19 July; getting your vaccination will help us get there safely. We know that having two doses of the vaccine massively reduces your risk of catching covid, passing it on to others or ending up in hospital. The vaccines available have proven to be more than 90% effective against serious illness from the new Delta variant.”
“The more people who get vaccinated, the better protected we all are – we need the majority of adults aged 18+ to have the vaccine in order to see the benefits across our communities, protect the most vulnerable and enjoy more freedoms this summer.
“A massive thank you to all our system partners for setting up additional clinics so quickly and giving people the convenience of just walking in for their jab. We have listened to local people and hope that more evening and weekend clinics will be popular with those who struggle to make it during the week due to work or childcare commitments. Thanks to all our vaccinators, support staff and volunteers for working flexibly to make this possible.”
Vaccination Statistics:
According to data published by NHS England and NHS Improvement 84% of people aged over 16 in Norfolk and Waveney have received their first dose, putting us fifth out of the 42 health and care systems in England. Some 79% of adults in England have received their first dose.
Some 66% of people aged over 16 in Norfolk and Waveney have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 58% of adults in England.
This puts us fourth out of the 42 health and care systems for second doses.
More than a million doses of vaccine (1,276,250) have been given in Norfolk and Waveney. In the week to 13 June, 36,782 doses were given of which 18,076 were first doses and 18,706 were second doses.
Despite a reduction in the number of second doses given in the last week, the CCG has maintained its fourth position in the country, this suggests lower number of second doses is being seen across England for the week to 20 June.
Warmer weather, the easing of restrictions and a major football tournament may all be contributing factors in people not booking or attending appointments.
Norfolk and Waveney has got off to a flying start with vaccinations for younger people with 33% of 16-24 year olds, 59% of 25-29 year olds and 78% of 30-34 year olds having received their first dose.
Where are the walk-in vaccine clinics?
The CCG says if you have your NHS number, please take with youto help the vaccination team book you in quickly.
But don’t worry if you don’t have an NHS number or are not registered with a GP / local doctor, you can still get vaccinated.
You do NOT need to show identification (ID) to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and you do not need to give your full name or address.
It does not matter whether you are a UK citizen or what your immigration status is, how long you have been here or how long you expect to stay.
Anyone aged 18+ can have a vaccination, we want to vaccinate as many people as we can and we want to make getting a vaccine as easy as possible for you.
Before your vaccination: Don't forget to keep hydrated (bring some bottled water with you) and have something to eat before you come!
Here's a full list of the walk-in clinics available.