COVID-19 Vaccination Stakeholder bulletin 09/07/2021

As 19 July looms large ahead of us, we continue our sprint to get as many people vaccinated as possible. However, this is not just a target! With COVID-19 cases increasing sharply, we need people to come forward early for their first dose, as we know it takes two doses to get full protection.

If we want to enjoy our potential “freedom” over the summer, we need to get vaccinated now, as cases are likely to rise over the next 4-6 weeks.

Thanks to a huge effort across our teams, more walk-in clinics are popping up again this weekend, offering a range of vaccines for first and second doses and different age groups. You can find out more below and please promote, especially to younger and ethnic minority communities. It’s reassuring to see that uptake in our Bangladeshi, Chinese and Black and African Caribbean communities is increasing, which is thanks to the targeted activity in those communities. However, we know that there are still gaps and we need to close these, if we’re to help protect all our communities.

This week it was announced that everyone will be invited for their second dose within eight weeks. This is essential to the opening of restrictions this summer and helping the NHS cope with the rising COVID cases. We can see the vaccine is slowing down a new wave of hospitalisations, but once again we’re stressing we need more people to come forward sooner rather than later.

If we’re to avoid a surge in hospitalisations, more people need to have their second dose. Latest analysis suggests the Pfizer vaccine is 96% effective and Astra Zeneca is 92% effective against hospitalisation after two doses. Check out the recently published Public Health (PHE) England vaccine efficacy data below.

Our data shows high vaccination uptake across the system, but we know there are certain groups and geographical areas, where uptake is lower. We also know that there are a small percentage of health and care workers that have not come forward, or had their second dose yet. It’s not too late, get your vaccine now, before the summer season opens up. Anyone unvaccinated, or who has only had one dose of vaccine is at risk of catching the virus and potentially putting others at risk. Also, don’t underestimate the effects of long-covid, people across all ages are reporting long-term symptoms that are affecting their day to day lives.

With 10 days to go, there’s a real buzz within the teams. Of course, we know that the work won’t stop after 19 July and we will continue throughout the summer to ensure no one gets left behind.

Until next week’s round up.

Neil Carr Dr Paddy Hannigan

Senior Responsible Officer Clinical Lead
COVID-19 Vaccination Programme COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

Walk-in clinics

In addition to our usual clinics offering booked appointments, walk-in clinics are continuing across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

People can drop in without an appointment and get vaccinated as part of our ongoing commitment to vaccinate as many people as possible and as speedily as possible.

Walk-in clinics are taking place in:

Alrewas
Hanley
Cannock
Rugeley
Cheadle

More are added every day, so keep checking our website.

Walk-in clinics offering both first and second vaccine doses are open on both weekdays and weekends. These are an add-on to the existing network of clinics offered through GPs, our large vaccination centres and community pharmacies. Anyone who already has a vaccination appointment should attend that appointment as planned. If you are yet to book either one or both of your vaccinations you can drop in to a clinic near you without booking.

The full list of walk-in clinics with dates, times and vaccine details is here. It includes a toolkit with graphics for sharing as widely as possible across social media and communications channels.

Those unable to get to a walk-in clinic can book their vaccine appointment online through the National Booking Service or by calling NHS 119.

18 – 29 year olds

We’re pleased that already 61% of 18-29 year olds have come forward for their vaccine. However, it’s not enough and we’re aiming high – we want all groups to get to a minimum of 85% and ideally 90% uptake.

This is the only way that we can reduce the impact of COVID-19, once restrictions are removed. Whether you’re doing it for a loved one, because you are worried about being off-sick, fear of long-covid, or perhaps so you can avoid self-isolating (potentially from 16 August). Don’t delay, book your vaccine now – the sooner you have your first dose, the sooner you get the important second dose!

Health and social care staff urged to get maximum protection

People who work at or visit heath and care settings are being urged to come forward now for their COVID-19 vaccine.

Health and social care workers, including NHS and private-sector staff, who have not had both doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are risking their own health and that of others. Case rates for coronavirus are increasing across the county, and two doses of vaccine will give the best protection for all age groups. One dose is not enough!

If you know someone who has not had their vaccine, please encourage them to get it, or talk to a clinician if they have any questions or concerns.

Second-dose intervals

The latest Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance is that everyone receives their second dose eight weeks after their first.

With the Delta variant dominant in the UK, the JVCI recommends that everyone receives their second vaccine dose within eight weeks as part of a clinically approved approach.

COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

On 1 July, Public Health England (PHE) released new data on the effectiveness of vaccines against symptomatic disease in adults under 40 years of age.

Early estimates suggest a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine is 61% effective against symptomatic disease, while a single dose of the Moderna vaccine is 72% effective against symptomatic disease.

The report also shows that two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is estimated to provide 94% protection against death from COVID-19 in people aged 65 and over.

The report highlights that the COVID-19 vaccination programme has so far prevented an estimated 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths in England, based on modelling analysis from PHE and Cambridge University. Read the full report.

Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, over 1,413,914 doses have been administered – but the job to protect our population is not complete. Both Pfizer and AZ vaccines are effective at protecting against the Delta variant after two doses and are highly effective for preventing hospitalisation. Giving the second dose at 8 weeks rather than 4 weeks is also likely to produce a better immune response.

Anyone eligible for vaccination who is unvaccinated, or has had just one dose of any of the three vaccines offered across the county, is at risk and will potentially be putting others at risk through transmission, even if they are not showing any symptoms.

Anyone over 18 and yet to have one or both doses of the vaccine can still book an appointment by calling 119 or online , or they can pop along to a walk-in clinic at a location convenient to them. There are appointments and vaccine slots available during the week and at weekends, during the day and into the evening.