People in the East Midlands are being urged to protect themselves from the dangers of COVID ahead of the New Year celebrations as hospital admissions continue to rise.

The autumn booster gives protection against the newer Omicron variants as well as the earlier COVID variants. So, while case rates are increasing, the risk of serious illness is reduced thanks to the booster.

There are currently over 1,607 patients in the Midlands with COVID-19 in hospitals with 3,241 cases of COVID-19 in the East Midlands having been reported in the 7 days up to 17 December.

COVID can be serious, especially for people with a long-term health condition, a weakened immune system or are pregnant. Getting the COVID-19 booster can stop people getting seriously ill and speed up their recovery if they catch the virus. Taking additional measures such as wearing a mask in crowed places and washing hands regularly can also help prevent all respiratory illnesses.

Walk-in vaccination sites open over Christmas and New Year include Ashfield Health Village, Kirkby in Ashfield (28 December 2pm -8pm and 30 December 8am-2pm); Haydn Road Vaccination Centre, Nottingham (28 December 2pm-8pm) and 30 December 8am-2pm); Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester (30 December 10am– 6pm and 31 December 10am–2pm).

Roz Lindridge, the NHS England director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:

“It’s important all who are eligible come forward to get their top-up, ensuring they have maximum protection throughout winter and ahead of mixing with friends and loved ones during the New Year celebrations. The booster offers protection against Omicron variants as well as the original COVID variants.

“A number of walk-in vaccination sites are open between Christmas and New Year to ensure that everyone eligible can benefit from this vital protection.  Everyone who gets boosted will know that they are starting the New Year right by protecting themselves and their loved ones.”

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:

• residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• all adults aged 50 years and over
• persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, as set out in the Green Book
• persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers, as set out in the Green Book.