NHS issues booster plea to people in the East Midlands ahead of Christmas and New Year as COVID cases rise
| People in the East Midlands are being urged to get boosted ahead of Christmas and New Year. With cases of COVID-19 on the rise again and people set to gather from across the country for the festive and new year celebrations, the NHS is urging anyone eligible to get back up to around 90 per cent protection against serious illness from COVID.
Cases of COVID are rising in the community with latest figures showing that there are over 1,000 patients with COVID-19 in the region’s hospitals with 2,103 cases of COVID-19 in the East Midlands having been reported in the 7 days up to 3 December. The protection from vaccines reduces over time so the booster is being offered to those at greatest risk from COVID to increase their protection during the winter months when viruses spread most easily. This includes everyone aged 50 and over and those with conditions that put them at greater risk from COVID, such as people with certain types of cancer (such as a blood cancer like leukaemia or lymphoma), chronic kidney disease, diabetes and pregnant women. The booster offers protection against Omicron variants as well as the original COVID variants. 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. There are more than 260 sites in the East Midlands that are making the vaccine as accessible as possible ahead of Christmas including pop-ups at food banks, community health centres and places of worship. Among those jabbing in the coming days is Ikhlas Community Centre in Derby; Matlock Town Football Club; Ashfield Health Village, Kirkby in Ashfield; The Courtaulds Building, Nottingham; a Drive Through Vaccination Clinic situated in the car park behind County Hall, Leicester; Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester, Brackley Methodist Church in Northamptonshire; the Weighing Rooms Mass Vaccination Centre, Lincoln; Pop up vaccinations will be taking place on 17 December at Market Square, Northampton; 17 December at Rothwell Christmas Food Market, Market Hill, Rothwell; at Market Warsop on 15 December at the Robert Bye Way Car Park (behind Age Concern) from 10am-4pm and on 16 December at Oak Tree Leisure Centre, Mansfield. Roz Lindridge, the NHS England director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said: “It’s easy to forget the devastating consequences of COVID now that we’re back to a normal way of life but the virus is still with us and we need to do all we can to prevent another surge this winter and keep people protected. “If you are yet to have your COVID booster or flu jab, please book in as soon as possible and take up the opportunities on offer around the country this weekend to ensure you have the best possible protection over Christmas and New Year. ”While over 3 million people have already had their autumn booster jab, we can’t be complacent. That’s why it’s crucial that all those eligible, from those at risk and pregnant women to frontline health and social care workers, book their appointments as soon as possible to keep immunity levels high. “We also need to ensure those eligible for their free flu vaccine are coming forward for necessary protection this winter. It is remarkable what the vaccines have achieved and they remain one of the best tools we have to protect the most vulnerable and keep serious illness low.” 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. Currently, over 43% of people (over 3 million) in the Midlands have had their flu jabs. In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for an autumn COVID booster this year include:
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