Councils in Suffolk and Essex get share of £2.5m to boost vaccination rates
The government is giving money to 60 local councils to help encourage people to get the jab.
Local councils in the East of England are getting a share of £2.5m worth of funding to help boost vaccination rates across the region.
The cash will go to authorities in Ipswich and Thurrock, among others, and will be spent on efforts to encourage people who haven't yet had a vaccine to take up the jab.
It could be used to fund phonelines, or projects with local GP surgeries to get out into local communities.
It's all part of the government's Community Vaccine Champions Scheme and ongoing efforts to protect people against the Omicron Variant of Covid-19.
Communities Minister Kemi Badenoch MP said:
“In England more than 80% of eligible adults over 18 have had a booster and for over 50s it is 90%. This is a great take-up so far, but we need to do more as we know that the unvaccinated are up to eight times more likely to be hospitalised than those who are jabbed.
“By funding Community Vaccine Champions – an army of volunteers who are at the heart of their communities - we can reach those yet to be vaccinated and encourage them to protect themselves and the NHS.”
Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup said:
“Thanks to the pace and scale of our COVID-19 vaccination programme, we are in a much better position than this time last year.
“We are doing everything we can to reach those who haven’t yet come forward for their jabs and we know some people are more likely to listen to those they trust, such as community and religious leaders - that’s why we are giving extra funding to our brilliant Community Champions.
“The offer of a vaccine will always be available, it’s not too late. Please come forward as soon as you can so we can learn to live with this virus.”