NHS delivers over two million autumn boosters in the Midlands
| The NHS COVID-19 autumn booster campaign in the Midlands has now provided extra protection to over two million people in the region.
The Midlands is the first region in England to hit the milestone and has achieved 2,113,164 of the country’s total vaccinations of 10,667,110. So far, over 748,000 autumn booster appointments in the East Midlands and over 682,000 appointments in the West Midlands have been booked since 12 September. Many more people are getting their vaccinations through Walk-in Clinics. People aged 50 and over, the severely immunosuppressed and frontline health and care workers are being urged to get vaccinated without delay ahead of a potential ‘twindemic’ of COVID-19 and flu this winter. Everyone who takes up the booster vaccine this autumn will increase their protection ahead of the winter months when respiratory viruses are typically at their peak. Cases of COVID are rising in the community with latest figures showing that there are over 2,088 patients with COVID-19 in the region’s hospitals with 5,741 cases of COVID-19 in the East Midlands and 5,614 cases in the West Midlands having been reported in the 7 days up to 15 October. There are more than 260 sites in the East Midlands and 348 sites in the West Midlands that are now offering COVID boosters – mainly community pharmacies and GP premises as well as a few bigger centres – so it should be more convenient than ever for people to get their vaccinations. The NHS is also rolling out this year’s flu vaccine, with eligible people able to get their flu and COVID jab at the same time depending on local system arrangements. Trish Thompson, Director of Primary Care and Public Health Commissioning at NHS England in the Midlands, said: “The latest stage of the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme is off to a flying start in the Midlands and has now provided extra protection to more than two million people. “The NHS is doing everything we can to protect the public as we enter what is expected to be a challenging winter – continuing to build on this strong start is key, so it is vital that anyone who is eligible for an autumn booster or flu vaccine comes forward as soon as they can to protect themselves from both viruses this year.” People can book their latest dose through the national booking system or by calling 119. You can also get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from a walk-in site without an appointment. People can find their nearest walk-in sites on the NHS website. In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for an autumn COVID booster this year include:
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