With only two weeks 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.
Getting vaccinated will help increase protection against flu and Covid-19, which is particularly important ahead of the winter holidays, which is often the time when more of us will meet indoors where respiratory viruses can circulate and spread more easily.
“It can take up to two weeks to build up maximum protection after you have had a Covid-19 or a flu vaccination, so with Christmas just over three weeks away, it is best to get vaccinated now to make sure you are protected from getting seriously ill,” explains Julie Humphreys, Head of Clinical Services, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.
“The uptake of the Covid-19 vaccination by Lincolnshire people has been tremendous once again and we are still vaccinating a good number of people nearly three months after the campaign started. Our vaccination teams have done a brilliant job and are keen to see as many people as possible over the next two weeks.
“It’s important to keep your protection against both flu and Covid-19 topped up, so please remember that the 15th December is the last date that vaccination appointments made online using the National Booking Service or by calling 119 will be available and you will need to book these no later than the 14th December.”
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, eligible people 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 Julie.
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.
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 of our outreach Covid-19 vaccination clinics.
In addition, On Saturday 2nd December, the vaccination team at the Weighing Rooms, Carholme Road, Lincoln, will be holding Covid-19 vaccination clinics for 5-11 year-olds who are in a clinical risk group, between 9.30am – 1pm, and for 12-17 year-olds who are in a clinical risk group or household contacts of persons (adults or children) who are immunosuppressed, between 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Either clinic can be booked by parents or guardians using the National Booking Service or by calling 119.
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