With covid infections having jumped by half a million in the UK, roughly 2.3 million people have the virus, as of 1st July (Office for National Statistics), and hospitalisations are also increasing countrywide including in Lincolnshire.
At the time of writing, in Lincolnshire 104 people were in hospital who have tested positive for covid, with one of these in intensive care.
“This increase in case numbers and the resulting hospital admissions is concerning for all of us, coming as it does more than two years since the pandemic began,” comments Julie Humphreys, Head of Clinical Services, NHS Lincolnshire ICB. “However, it is important to remember that not all of these people have been hospitalised due to covid.
“Many will have been admitted for non-covid reasons and then tested positive for covid on entry to hospital. And although the case numbers are up significantly, the overall level of UK infections is still much lower than it was in the earlier part of this year, as are the number of hospitalisations, thanks to the covid vaccinations.”
The current rise in cases is likely being driven by two new Omicron sub-variants, BA.4 and BA.5, which are more transmissible, and infections are going up across the country in all age groups, although particularly in those aged 70 and over. It is also worth noting that hospitalisations are increasing quickest amongst people over 65 (UKHSA).
“It’s difficult because it’s summer and covid is still here and proving very disruptive to so many people, but we should take some reassurance from the fact that the covid vaccinations do work and continue to prevent most people from becoming severely ill or being hospitalised,” adds Julie.
“This is why it’s so important for anyone due a covid vaccination to come and have it, whether you’re 5 years-old or 95 years-old – if you haven’t had your full course of covid vaccinations we want to see you.”
The vaccination teams in Lincolnshire are continuing to run regular vaccination sessions across the county, including many that offer the ability to just walk-in without the need for an appointment.
“The only thing that has slowed us down a little this week has been the very hot weather. We have to keep the vaccines in a certain temperature range and unfortunately have had to cancel some of our pop-up sessions this week, since we would have been operating outside of that range,” explains Julie.
“But we still have plenty of sessions running and you can always find the most up-to-date list on our Grab a jab page, as well as information on who is eligible for the covid vaccination.
“We are particularly keen to see older people who haven’t had their full course of covid vaccinations. At the other end of the age scale we are also keen to see 5-11 year-olds, who will now be due for their second vaccination.”
Most 5-11 year-olds will have had their first covid vaccination about 12 weeks ago and, as with people of all ages, completing their course of vaccinations (with a second vaccination) will provide extra protection and longer lasting protection against covid.
“The only exception to the 12-week interval between first and second doses for 5-11 year-olds is those 5-11 year-olds in a risk group, either clinically at risk or a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed – in this instance the interval is 8 weeks. Also, if your child is 5 or over and had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first two doses, they can get an additional third primary dose of the covid vaccine.”
In addition to the pop-up walk-in vaccination sessions being run around the county, some of which are offering vaccinations to 5-11 and 12-15/12-17 year-olds, the Mass Vaccination Centre at PRSA, Boston, is offering walk-ins for 5-11s and 12-17 year-olds this week and next week.
Please visit our Grab a jab page for details on all our walk-in vaccination sessions.
Alternatively, it is possible to book an appointment for a covid vaccination, including for your 5-11 year-old, online using the National Booking System or by calling 119.