Covid-19 spring vaccination campaign off to a flying start in county
Posted on: 17th May 2024
The significant effort and planning behind the latest Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Lincolnshire is paying off with 84% of the county’s care homes visited in the first three weeks of the current campaign, with 63%, and counting, of care home residents already vaccinated.
These figures compare favourably with the picture across the rest of England, which has seen 52% of people in care homes having been given the potentially lifesaving Covid-19 vaccination since the current campaign launched in care homes on 15th April.
One week after the campaign started in care homes the Covid-19 spring vaccination was made available to other eligible groups – adults aged 75 and over, and individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed – and as of last Sunday 12th May, 34.3% of all eligible people have had their vaccination.
“We are once again delighted with the response from the Lincolnshire public during the first few weeks of this latest Covid-19 vaccination campaign,” comments Steve Clapton, Lincolnshire Covid Programme Lead, NHS Lincolnshire ICB. “By now most people understand the importance of getting protection against Covid-19, and we are doing everything possible to ensure everyone who wants a Covid-19 vaccination this spring gets one.”
In fact, after just the first three weeks of this current Covid-19 spring vaccination campaign, the vaccination teams around the county had vaccinated the equivalent to half of all the eligible people vaccinated during the whole of the previous Covid-19 spring vaccination campaign.
“Alongside our central vaccination team, our colleagues in GP practices and community pharmacies across Lincolnshire are delivering Covid-19 vaccinations at lightning speeds, ensuring eligible people receive vital protection against Covid-19, which it should be noted is still a serious illness, especially for older people and those with a weakened immune system,” explains Steve.
“The important thing to remember is that, provided you are eligible, you don’t need to wait for an invite to book an appointment to have your Covid-19 vaccination. You can book online using the National Booking System www.nhs.uk/get-vaccine or you can call 119, either of which will book appointments at your closest community pharmacy.”
There is an additional way patients registered at GP practices not taking part in the current Covid-19 vaccination campaign (see list below in Notes to Editors) can book an appointment to get their vaccination
“As an alternative to using the National Booking System or 119 to book an appointment at a local community pharmacy, patients registered at GP practices not taking part can call 01522 301940 to book an appointment at the Weighing Rooms in Lincoln. This number is available between 10am and 2pm every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until the end of June, except for w/c 27th May when it will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday due to the Bank Holiday Monday, and is only for patients of the GP practices not taking part.
“Whichever route you use, please remember to be patient - if you can’t get an appointment straightaway, please keep checking back as we generally have good availability and we regularly add new appointment slots,” adds Steve.
For more information visit www.lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/grabajab