Two years after the NHS in Kirklees delivered the first COVID jabs in the borough, health leaders are renewing calls for people to get boosted before Christmas.
Since then, the NHS has delivered more than 143 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine – an average of over 196,000 doses a day – which has prevented countless hospitalisations and saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
But with cases of COVID-19 on the rise again and people set to gather for the festive period, the NHS is urging anyone eligible for a booster to come forward now.
Steve Brennan, who leads the vaccination programme in Kirklees, said “The determination and dedication of NHS staff and volunteers up and down the country to roll out the vaccine is something we can all look back on with great pride. It’s thanks to them, and our GP and pharmacy colleagues, that we have managed to get back to a pre-pandemic way of life and look forward to a Christmas without restrictions.
“However, while COVID-19 may feel like a thing of the past, the health service is facing huge pressure. We continue to see people in our hospital who have the virus, along with cases of flu and other respiratory illnesses. Just as it was two years ago, the best thing you can do to protect yourself and help the NHS is to make sure you are up to date with both your COVID and flu jabs.”
Everyone aged 50 and over is eligible for the booster, along with anyone who has a condition putting them at increased risk from COVID. This includes people who are immunosuppressed (or who live with someone who is) and pregnant women, as well as health and care staff and unpaid carers. You can find your nearest walk-in clinics at www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab or book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119, free of charge.
Steve added, “There’s just two weeks until Christmas – which is exactly the amount of time to takes to get back up to around 90 per cent protection against serious illness from COVID. Please book an appointment today or find your nearest service offering walk-in vaccinations to help keep you and others safe this winter.”
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health, at Kirklees Council said, “On the anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccine I’d like to thank everyone for playing their part in making the vaccination programme in Kirklees such a success. By taking up the vaccination offer you’re not only protecting yourselves and your loved ones but also helping to ease the pressure on our health services.
“As temperatures drop it’s a stark reminder that winter has arrived, a time of year when infections spread more easily. I would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the winter vaccine offer so that we can all enjoy the festive celebrations as safely as possible.”