Immunosuppressed people reminded to have their autumn covid-19 vaccination

People who are immunosuppressed due to a health condition or medical treatment, including stem cell therapy, are being reminded that they are eligible for an autumn covid-19 vaccination.

With the rollout of the autumn covid-19 vaccination programme still going strong across Lincolnshire, the NHS in the county is keen to ensure that everyone eligible who wants to get vaccinated can access a covid-19 vaccination, including those who are immunosuppressed.

“Being immunosuppressed means you have a weakened immune system, whether that be due to a particular health condition or because you are on medication or treatment that suppresses your immune system,” explains Julie Humphreys, Head of Clinical Services, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.

“People often tend to think that being immunosuppressed only applies to those who have something like leukaemia or HIV, but actually there are wide range of conditions that can mean you are immunosuppressed, a number of which we tend to hear about more frequently, for example rheumatoid arthritis.

“In the case of rheumatoid arthritis you are more likely to end up in hospital if you have an infection and this risk is related to having a suppressed immune system and the use of therapies (in the case of rheumatoid arthritis) that place further strain on your immune system. 

“With this in mind, it’s worth having a covid-19 vaccination since it may reduce your chance of catching covid-19, and if you do catch it the symptoms may be less severe and the illness shorter. 

“If it has been at least three months since your last covid-19 vaccination and you – or the person you care for – is immunosuppressed and aged at least six months or over, please come and see us for your vaccination, we are happy to answer any questions you may have,” adds Julie.

The full list of clinical risk groups, including immunosuppression, can be found in the Green Book Chapter 14a - Table 4, page 25.

Looking at the wider autumn covid-19 programme, community pharmacies and GP practice across Lincolnshire continue to vaccinate significant numbers of people, and appointments can be booked via the National Booking Service or by calling 119.  For a list of the community pharmacies and a map showing their location, visit NHS Lincolnshire ICB’s ‘grab a jab’ page or click here.

As well as this the central NHS vaccination team in the county is continuing to roll out a number of outreach vaccination clinics for patients registered at Old Leake Medical Centre, Merton Lodge Surgery, Stickney Surgery, Spilsby Surgery, The Suttons Medical Group, or Beechfield Medical Centre, which can be booked by calling 01522 301940, Monday to Friday between 9.15am and 4.45pm, or attended as a walk-in.

“The outreach clinics have been busy vaccinating patients from the six GP practices they are covering and, in addition to booked appointments, it is now possible to get vaccinated as a walk-in on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, without the need for an appointment provided you are registered at one of the six practices,” notes Julie.

A list of the scheduled outreach clinics for patients at the practices listed above can be found by visiting the NHS Lincolnshire ICB’s grab a jab page here.

In addition, on Saturday 4^th November, the vaccination team at the Weighing Rooms, Carholme Road, Lincoln, will be holding a clinic for 5-11 year-olds who are in a clinical risk group, between 9.30am – 1pm, and a clinic 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.