NHS launches final call for autumn winter COVID-19 vaccine in the East Midlands
With one calendar month left to go for people to get their winter COVID-19 vaccination, the NHS is urging people to visit one of many local clinics on offer in supermarket car parks, pharmacies and hospitals before 20 December. Hundreds of appointments at clinics and walk in sites are available and listed below.
More than 1.5 million people eligible in the Midlands including over 729,000 people in the East Midlands, have taken advantage of the protection provided from the vaccine this autumn, however that leaves almost 67% of people yet to have theirs since the campaign began on 3 October.
Both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines can help to provide important protection to those eligible and their families ahead of Christmas and over winter, helping prevent serious illness, death and minimise hospitalisations during the busy winter months. COVID-19 and flu spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and can cause serious illness.
Those eligible for a winter COVID-19 vaccination are:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 65 years and over
- Those aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
- frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults
Roz Lindridge, the NHS England director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said: “With just one month left in the winter campaign, we’re urging those who haven’t yet come forward to do so. Our vaccination teams are working hard to provide convenient times and accessible locations to make it easier to attend.
It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year. If you are vaccinated and catch flu or COVID-19 this winter, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.
Don’t put it off, book your appointment today and protect yourself and your loved ones ahead of the festive period.”
It is now easier than ever to find a clinic close to you. All eligible adults can book their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations by visiting www.nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations, on the NHS App or by calling 119. There are also hundreds of walk-in clinics at local pharmacies and pop up locations such as town centres and supermarket car parks.
Find out where and when your local clinics are taking place.