With only one week left to book flu and Covid-19 vaccinations online or via 119, the NHS in Lincolnshire is urging those who are eligible to book an appointment by 14th December.
Bearing in mind that both vaccinations will require some time to build up to the maximum levels of protection, with Christmas and the winter holidays just around the corner, the importance of booking flu and Covid-19 vaccinations in the next week, whilst it is still possible, is even greater.
“By now most people will be aware that respiratory viruses like flu and Covid-19 circulate and spread more easily indoors, which is where lots of us will be spending a considerable amount of our time over Christmas,” comments Karen Hewinson, Head of Clinical Services, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.
“So it is important to get vaccinated sooner rather than later, in order to build up your protection against flu and Covid-19, and also to allow time – up to two weeks – to build up maximum protection, ensuring you are protected from getting seriously ill.”
More than 200,000 Covid-19 vaccinations have been given by Lincolnshire vaccination sites since the current autumn vaccination campaign launched 11 weeks ago.
“As always we are delighted with the uptake of the Covid-19 vaccination in Lincolnshire, and thank local people for their support once again. The 15th December will be the last date that vaccination appointments can be made online using the National Booking Service or by calling 119 will be available and you will need to book by 14th December – after this time it will not be possible to book a vaccination online or by calling 119,” explains Karen.
GP practices and community pharmacies across Lincolnshire continue to offer both Covid-19 and flu vaccinations. If you have received a letter or text from your GP practice inviting you to book in for your vaccination with them, you can do this either direct with the practice or by using the National Booking Service or by calling 119 (by 14th December).
“After 14th December, if you are eligible you may be able to access a Covid-19 vaccination directly with a local pharmacy, or visit an outreach vaccination clinic, but there will be fewer appointments available and you may have to travel further. Those people who are eligible for a free flu vaccination can still contact their GP practice or visit a pharmacy offering the service, if aged 18 or over,” adds Karen.
The central vaccination team is continuing to run a number of outreach Covid-19 vaccination clinics for anyone who is eligible and appointments can be booked by calling 01522 301940, Monday to Friday, between 10am and 1pm. Alternatively they can be attended as a walk-in without the need for an appointment. See details.
In addition, the vaccination centre at the Weighing Rooms, Carholme Road, Lincoln, LN1 1SE, will be open for people to walk-in for a Covid-19 vaccination every Thursday and Friday between 11am and 1pm, from 21st December 2023 until 26th January 2024 (please note the vaccination service will be closed between 23rd December – 3rd January 2024).
People eligible for both winter vaccines – flu and Covid-19 – include all aged 65 and over, including those turning 65 years of age by 31st March 2024, those that are pregnant, those aged 6 months and above with certain health conditions, care home residents, frontline health and social care staff, unpaid carers and household contacts of people with a weakened immune system.
Those eligible for an autumn Covid-19 vaccine are:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 65 years and over (including those who turn 65 on or before 31st March 2024)
- persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)
- frontline health and social care workers
- persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
- persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults.
In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
- those aged 65 years and over (including those who turn 65 on or before 31st March 2024)
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, chapter 19 (Influenza))
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
- school-aged children (from Reception to Year 11)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants
How to get your Covid-19 vaccination in Lincolnshire: There is more information about the Covid-19 vaccination programme on our ‘Grab a jab’ page.