The NHS in Lincolnshire will shortly begin to offer bookable covid-19 vaccinations for 5-11 years-olds who are in a clinical risk group.
From 5th October, parents and guardians of 5-11 year-olds will be able to use the National Booking Service online or will be able to call 119 to book an appointment (from 6th October onwards) for their child/children, with the first 5-11 year-old vaccination clinics in Lincolnshire scheduled for Friday 13th October, between 3.30pm – 4.30pm, at the Weighing Rooms, Carholme Road, Lincoln.
“This is the next phase in the rollout of the autumn covid-19 vaccination and is about helping to protect children against covid-19, as we head into what will likely be a difficult winter,” comments Julie Humphreys, Head of Clinical Services, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.
“The vaccination clinics for 5-11 year-olds will be held initially at the Weighing Rooms vaccination centre, Carholme Road, Lincoln, and will be run after school. Appointments can be made by calling 119 or booking using the National Booking Service.
“For parents/guardians in the south and east of the county, whilst appointments can be booked at the closest site offering the vaccine, the central vaccination team will be putting on a pop-up clinic in the Spalding area and we will be contacting parents/guardians of all eligible children to offer appointments. If you haven’t heard from us, or your GP by 18th October, please contact us on licb.c.19vaccinationcell@nhs.net – I would strongly encourage any parent or guardian with a 5-11 year-old child or children who is in a clinical risk group to book them in.”
The term ‘clinical risk’ covers a number of conditions and diseases including chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart conditions, chronic conditions of the kidney, liver or digestive system, chronic neurological disease, endocrine disorders, immunosuppression, asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, and serious genetic abnormalities. For more information see Green Book Chapter 14a, table 4 on page 25.
“For anyone who’s eligible, including 5-11 year-olds, the covid-19 vaccination is safe and effective, and provides important protection from serious illness as a result of covid-19. As always we are trying to make getting vaccinated as easy as possible and we are happy to answer any questions children, parents or guardians may have when they attend for vaccination,” adds Julie.
Ahead of the rollout of the covid-19 vaccination to 5-11 year-olds in a clinical risk group, the autumn vaccination programme has already got off to a great start in the county, with many vaccination sites reporting a good take up of the vaccination offer.
“This is great news and particularly encouraging for the vaccination teams who have put so much effort into rolling out the covid-19 vaccination once again. Of course it does sometimes mean that you might not be able to get booked into your first choice of vaccination centre straightaway, but please be patient – as appointments get booked up we are continually adding new ones that can be booked via the National Booking Service or by calling 119,” explains Julie.
There is a map showing all of the vaccination sites in Lincolnshire that are bookable via the National Booking Service or by calling 119. This page also includes a list showing the full postal address for each vaccination site.
Alongside GP practices, community pharmacies are playing a key role in the rollout of the autumn covid-19 vaccination and many of them are also offering eligible people the chance to get their flu vaccination too.
“Our community pharmacy colleagues are providing a vital service, just as our GP practice colleagues are, both in urban and rural parts of the county. Most people will know their local community pharmacy already and we are confident that the ability to get both covid-19 and flu vaccinations at the same time at the local pharmacy – and maximise protection ahead of winter – will appeal,” concludes Julie.