Despite having already given more than 440,000 booster vaccinations (440,008 as of close of play 30th December), the NHS in Lincolnshire has significant capacity available to vaccinate people and is keen for anyone not yet boosted, or who hasn’t had their first and/or second doses, to come forwards as soon as possible.
The phenomenal effort by the teams at vaccination sites across the county, including GP and community pharmacy-run sites, means that Lincolnshire is within touching distance of providing booster vaccinations to 85% of eligible people, as Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, explains.
“I can’t thank everyone who’s come forward for their booster enough, along with the magnificent efforts of our vaccination teams, this willingness to do the right thing and get vaccinated has made everything we’ve achieved to-date possible. However, we have lots of capacity and there’s still more to do.
“The numbers of people coming forwards tailed off in the run-up to and during the days after Christmas Day, perhaps predictably, with people focusing on festive celebrations with family and friends. We are beginning to see a gradual increase in numbers now and I would urge people to come forwards as soon as possible to get boosted, or even to get first and/or second doses, since this is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from Omicron.”
Like the rest of the vaccination sites around Lincolnshire, the county’s two Mass Vaccination Centres (MVCs) at PRSA, Boston, and at the Lincolnshire Showground continue to operate seven days a week and continue to offer walk-ins as well as booked appointments.
There will also be another round of ‘pop-up’ walk-in sessions w/c 3 January, whereby anyone eligible can get vaccinated without an appointment, whether that be a booster (18 and over, 16 and over if you have a health condition which puts you at high risk of getting seriously ill with covid) or for first and second doses (available to anyone aged 16 and over, as well as 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent):
Tuesday 4th January at the Springfields Events and Conference Centre, Spalding, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Wednesday 5th January at the Engine Shed, Lincoln, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Thursday 6th January at St Marys Church Hall, Market Place, Long Sutton, Spalding PE12 9JZ, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Friday 7th January at the Stamford Arts Centre, Stamford, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Saturday 8th January at Stanhope Hall, Horncastle, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
“As they have been over the last year or so, our vaccination teams at all of our sites are still here for you, have lots of vaccinations and appointments available, and would love to see you as soon as you can. We’ve also added another round of pop-ups following on from the success of those we’ve run in Lincoln, Stamford and Spalding over the last two weeks, and hope that people will take full advantage of these too (see details above).
“I think a lot of people put off getting boosted for fear of side-effects, but in all honesty any side-effects tend to be mild and short-lived, in most cases only lasting a day or two. Remember, Omicron doesn’t know or care what time of year it is, but it will take around a couple of weeks for your booster to kick in and protect you,” adds Rebecca.
One thing that is becoming an issue nationally and here in Lincolnshire is the number of people who’ve made appointments for vaccinations and then simply not turned up, known as DNAs.
“Apart from urging people to come and get vaccinated as soon as possible, my other message is if you can’t make your booked appointment, please cancel it so someone else can use it. Ideally we’d prefer it if you rearranged/booked a new appointment online via the National Booking System or by calling 119 – if you do this, once you have had your booster your original appointment will be automatically cancelled enabling someone else to use it. Or if you have an appointment arranged with your GP surgery, please contact them to cancel it if you don’t need it/are going to rearrange.”
In addition to the ongoing booster programme, and the continuing ‘evergreen’ offer providing first and second doses to those who’ve not had them, the NHS is also very keen for immunosuppressed people and those who are ‘clinically vulnerable’ to come forwards.
As well as this, the pop-up walk-ins for children aged 12-15 will continue at PRSA and the Lincolnshire Showground in the New Year, and details about this and other information on the vaccination programme, including an indication of availability of appointments and walk-ins, can be found at www.lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/grabajab
Published 04/01/2022