People in Lincolnshire are being reminded of the opportunity to get their autumn covid-19 vaccination at their local community pharmacy.
In addition to the majority of GP practices in the county being involved – and contacting patients to ask them to book their appointment – and playing a significant role in the latest phase of the covid-19 vaccination programme, there are now currently 21 community pharmacies taking part.
“The community pharmacies really complement the GP practices and help to extend our coverage across Lincolnshire,” explains Karen Hewinson, Head of Clinical Services, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.
“Like GP practices, community pharmacies are an integral part of their local community, meaning that local people know them and use them. Being able to offer the covid-19 vaccination brings extra convenience and makes it easy for people to get vaccinated, which, in the run-up to winter, will be increasingly important since both flu and covid-19 spread more easily when we spend more time together indoors.”
In addition to covid-19 vaccinations, the community pharmacies involved are also offering the flu vaccination, and appointments can be booked using the National Booking Service or by calling 119. For a list of the community pharmacies and a map showing their location, visit our ‘grab a jab page’.
As well as the option to get vaccinated locally, including booking in at your local community pharmacy, the central NHS vaccination team in the county is continuing to offer covid-19 vaccinations at the Weighing Rooms, Lincoln, which can also be booked using the National Booking Service or by calling 119.
The vaccination team has also scheduled a series of outreach covid-19 vaccination clinics between now and the beginning of December, which are only for patients registered at Old Leake Medical Centre, Merton Lodge Surgery, Stickney Surgery, Spilsby Surgery, and The Suttons Medical Group, which can be booked by calling 01522 301940 Monday to Friday between 9.15am and 4.45pm.
These outreach clinics will also be offering walk-in covid-19 vaccinations on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, without the need to pre-book, but only for patients registered at the five practices listed above (the vaccination team reserve the right to turn people away should demand exceed available walk-ins)
“The phoneline and these outreach clinics are specifically for eligible adult (unless otherwise specified) patients registered at these five practices because they are not offering covid-19 vaccinations during the autumn covid-19 campaign. Running outreach clinics means that patients at these practices shouldn’t have to travel as far to get their covid-19 vaccination, since the clinics will be held in the areas covered by the practices,” explains Karen.
“We continue to be extremely grateful to Lincolnshire people for coming forwards in their numbers once again for a covid-19 vaccination. Remember, if you have certain underlying health conditions, are 65 years-old and over, or are pregnant you are eligible for both a flu and a covid-19 vaccination.
“It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you have tested positive for covid-19 you no longer need to wait 28 days to have the vaccination, although you do need to be clinically well before you book your appointment and should avoid contact with other people for five days after you took your covid-19 test or from when your symptoms first started,” adds Karen.
“If you are feeling unwell with a minor illness, such as a cold without a fever, you can still have your covid-19 vaccination, but if you’re acutely unwell it’s best to postpone having your covid-19 vaccination, to avoid confusing any possible side effects of the covid-19 vaccine with the symptoms of your acute illness.”