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
|
|