The positive impact of the ongoing covid vaccination programme, particularly the rollout of the autumn boosters, seems to be contributing to the decline in the number of people testing positive for covid in England over the last few weeks, but despite this people across Lincolnshire are being urged not to overlook the need to get their covid vaccinations.
In the seven days up to and including 12th November, there was a 15.7% decrease in the number of people testing positive, down to 20,588 people. Alongside this there has also been a 30% fall in the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test in England, and an 8.7% drop in the number of patients admitted to hospital as a result of covid (up to and including 14th November).
“These numbers are encouraging and give some hope that, with the ongoing rollout of the covid autumn booster, we might be going into this Christmas in a relatively better place compared to the last two festive seasons,” comments Karen Hewinson, Head of Clinical Services, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.
Picking up on hospital admissions, in Lincolnshire there are currently 15 patients in hospital in the county who have covid, with two of these in ICU. In comparison to a peak of approximately 280 patients in hospital at the height of the pandemic, these figures also provide encouragement.
“These numbers compare favourably and give us some hope going into this Christmas, due to the efforts we’ve all made over the last few months, in fact the last two years, to get vaccinated. But we shouldn’t take covid for granted, it’s still out there and it still has the potential to cause serious illness or worse, particularly if you are not up to date with your vaccinations.
“With this in mind, as well as those people aged 50 and over, we are especially keen to see children and adults aged 5-49 who are in one or more of these at risk groups or who are household contacts of someone with immunosuppression, including pregnant women, plus carers aged 16-49, and frontline health and social care workers,” notes Karen.
People who are eligible are also being strongly urged to get a flu jab, particularly those people considered at risk, including pregnant women.
In addition to people aged 50 and over, you are eligible for a free flu jab if you’re in at risk group because you have certain health conditions, are pregnant, in long-stay residential care, or in receipt of a carer’s allowance or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick, or you live with someone more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system.
If you are pregnant, flu and covid can cause serious harm to you and your baby, but the flu and covid vaccines offer the best protection against these viruses.
“The flu vaccine can reduce the risk of serious complications such as pneumonia, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy,” explains Dr Adriaan van Biljon, GP Partner Vine House Surgery, Grantham. “Women who’ve had the flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their babies, which last for the first few months of their lives.
“Pregnant women can have the flu and covid vaccines at any stage of pregnancy and neither vaccine contains live virus so cannot infect you or your baby. Similarly, for young children having the flu vaccine is the best way for them to build up immunity, without the vaccine they can become seriously ill, so whether you’re a pregnant woman or a parent/guardian, please get vaccinated and help to keep yourself and your child safe this winter.”
Many of the GP and community pharmacy-run covid vaccination sites around the county are offering people the opportunity to get their flu jab at the same time as their covid autumn booster, although the Meres Vaccination Centre, Grantham, the Weighing Rooms, Lincoln, and PRSA, Boston, are not and are only offering covid vaccinations.
Appointments for the covid autumn booster can be booked online using the National Booking System or by calling 119. There is a list of scheduled vaccination clinics being held at PRSA Mass Vaccination Centre, Boston, and the Weighing Rooms Mass Vaccination Centre, Lincoln, that you can book an appointment at available at Vaccination schedule – Mass Vaccination Centres – Lincolnshire ICB.
Alternatively, it is possible to have your autumn booster on a walk-in basis, provided you are 50 or over, at either PRSA, Boston or at the Weighing Rooms, Lincoln, and there is more information at www.lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/grabajab about the days and times walk-ins are available.
In addition, the vaccination centre at the Meres (Table Tennis Club), Grantham, will be offering covid autumn booster walk-ins for people aged 50 or over on Sunday 4th December, and Sunday 11th December, between 9.30am-12.30pm.
You can also visit the national walk-in site to find local vaccination centres around the country that are offering walk-ins.
Published 25/11/2022