NHS delivers almost half a million spring covid vaccines in the North West
Wednesday, 26 June 2024
Almost half a million people in the North West have now received their spring covid booster from the NHS just ten weeks after bookings officially opened as part of the latest vaccination campaign.
People aged 75 and over, those with a weakened immune system and older adult care home residents are eligible for a spring vaccine this year, and the latest stats show 454,000 vaccines have been delivered by the NHS in the region, part of more than 4 million nationally.
The vaccine offer formally opened to everyone outside of a care home on 22 April, but NHS staff have been going into older adult care homes since 15 April, with nearly two thirds of care home residents in the North West having received their protection.
With less than one week left of this year’s spring covid vaccine programme, the NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside is urging all eligible people who haven’t yet had their top-up to come forward and get protected before 30 June 2024.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“I’d encourage anyone eligible, especially our younger population who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or medication, to come forward for their spring covid vaccination.
“There is less than a week to go before the offer finishes at the end of this month and plenty of opportunities to get vaccinated, either by booking an appointment or at one of our many walk-in clinics.”
The NHS is making it easier than ever to get vaccinated, with a number of walk-in sites such as the Living Well Bus available across Cheshire and Merseyside, as well as appointments at sites including GP practices and community pharmacies that can be booked through the NHS App, calling 119, or by visiting the NHS website.
For the first time, joint bookings can be made for those who use the online booking system or NHS 119 to get their jab. By selecting a joint booking, two eligible people aged 18 and over can get the COVID-19 vaccine in the same location at the same time, making it easier than ever to get protected.
Depending on the vaccination site, those who have booked a joint appointment may be vaccinated at the same time or may have back-to-back vaccination slots.
Statistics from the UK Health Security Agency on last year’s spring COVID-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were up to 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus for three to four months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.
More details on people eligible for COVID-19 vaccines and how to book a jab are available on the NHS.uk website.
To find a walk-in clinic in Cheshire and Merseyside, click here.