Concerns the booster jab uptake will slow down during the festive holidays
More than 188,000 people in West Yorkshire have had their booster jab in the last 10 days
There are concerns the uptake of the covid-19 booster will slow down during the Christmas holidays, as some people fear they'll become ill from having the jab.
In the last 10 days, more 188,000 people in West Yorkshire have received their booster.
But, Dr Yvette Oade, the NHS region’s clinical lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme says bookings for the end of this week and next are down:
"Vaccine side effects are not as frequent as perhaps people might read about, and are often managed really straightforwardly, with a couple of paracetamol, if you catch covid, you may feel much more seriously unwell.
"Actually booking going forward, later on this week and next are down, if you're worried about having your vaccine before Christmas, there are plenty of slots available Monday 27th and onwards."
The NHS has now underlined its call for all eligible adults to get their booster jab by the end of the month.
Vaccination sites have been asked to operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week wherever possible and in every community there should be slots available at least 16 hours a day.
Latest NHS figures show that on Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 December, 115,834 and 100,568 booster jabs, respectively, were delivered in the North East and Yorkshire.
However, Dr Oade says some age groups are missing out on getting their jabs:
"We are concerned about people, mainly in the younger age groups who haven't come forward, either for their first or second vaccine or their booster.
"We want people who come from black and ethnic minority backgrounds to think about it and come forward for their vaccine.
"We know they are likely to have a higher risk of hospitalisation and sadly death as well."
Vaccination centres, GP's and walk in's are giving out vaccinations throughout the Christmas holidays, some will even stay open on Christmas day.