Nearly half of Lancashire adults still yet to have second COVID jab
78,610 new cases were announced yesterday
Across Lancashire nearly half (47%) of adults are yet to come forward for their second jab, despite thousands of people across the country getting their booster jab this week.
The UK recorded the highest daily total of lab-confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began when 78,610 new cases were announced on Wednesday (15th December).
Dr Tim Dalton, the chair of Wigan CCG, says they are working to keep vaccination centres safe despite the high COVID levels.
Dr Dalton said: "We're wanting to primarily get people to book, so we can control and keep people safe, keep people out of the rain and the weather, and get them in a COVID secure way. We are aware COVID is circulating highly at the moment, so we want to keep people safe while they're passing through these vaccine centres."
On Sunday (12 December), Boris Johnson declared an "Omicron emergency" and warned people against thinking the new variant won't make them seriously ill.
The Government has also said it aims to offer booster jabs to every adult by the end of December.
The Wigan CCG Chair said: "We have, since the Prime Minister's instruction on Sunday evening, increased the amount of appointments available and we are encouraging people to continue to book those appointments. There are also appointments with the national booking service at one or two local chemists, and national vaccination sites at places further upfield.
The Wigan doctor has warned that although people may be boosted, it can take up to two weeks for the booster to be effective against the new strain.
"The Omicron strain we know is significantly more infectious", said Dr Dalton.
"When you are boosted you have a 75% effectiveness, but that takes 10 to 14 days to fully work. So, the basic measures we have all been doing now for nearly two years, washing your hands, wearing a mask, making sure areas are well ventilated, remain absolutely key."
"You can't have a COVID vaccine within four weeks of having COVID. Equally, our vaccine centre staff, both the volunteers and vaccinators, they need to not have COVID and again most of those have had their booster. Even the booster does not guarantee you do not have COVID, so despite being double jabbed and boosted you can still get COVID so that will impact on delivery of the service."
Learn more about the COVID vaccine
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. While it is currently being rolled out across the UK, the vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine is considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under-40s in the UK will be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-40s will receive the Moderna or the Pfizer jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines are being administered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then be rolled out to people over 60, people over 55 and people over 50. The UK Government aims to offer vaccinations to everyone in the top nine priority groups by the end of May, and to every adult over the age of 18 by the end of July 2021.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.