West Norfolk folk urged to get Spring Booster Covid jab
West Norfolk residents who are eligible for the Spring Booster are urged to book an appointment, following last week’s announcement of the programme launch for the over-75s and those aged 12-plus who are immunosuppressed.
The Spring Booster programme is designed to boost protection for those that were the first during the autumn to get their jab, to ensure that their vaccine protection remains topped up over the spring and summer months.
Local response to Norfolk and Waveney’s vaccination programme has been positive, with thousands of eligible people coming forward last week to book appointments.
Eligible people are being contacted by the NHS to make a Spring Booster appointment either by letter, text message, or from a phone call from their GP practice. However, anyone that is eligible can also go ahead and make an appointment via the national booking service.
People are advised to wait until around six months since their last dose to receive maximum effectiveness from the Spring Booster but will be able to receive it from a minimum of three months since their last dose.
A reminder of who is eligible for the Spring Booster:
• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in care homes for older adults
• individuals aged 12 years and over who have a weakened immune system
The NHS will prioritise contacting those people whose clinical need is greatest, starting with those who have had a bigger gap since their last dose, then working through the cohort to invite others who have waited less time.
Meanwhile, local vaccination clinics and health providers are reporting that almost a quarter of booked appointments over the last week were unattended. Anyone who has a booked appointment is encouraged to turn up for their appointment or cancel it so that the appointment can be offered to someone else.
Howard Martin, director of population health management and health inequalities at NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said “We are pleased to see so many people coming forward to take up the offer of their Spring Booster. There are over 4,000 appointments already booked for next week in clinics across Norfolk and Waveney, which goes to show how important the vaccine remains to help people enjoy life without Covid-19 restrictions.
“Whilst we welcome people coming forward to take up their jab, it is essential at this time that if you do make a booked appointment that you attend or cancel, as vaccine supplies are calibrated to meet local demand and we don’t want anyone to miss out.
“And while the Spring Booster programme continues at pace, I would remind anyone who hasn’t yet come forward for a vaccine that the evergreen offer of first, second, and booster doses remain available at sites across the patch.
“Please do take up the offer of the free Jab Cab to get to the vaccination clinic or walk-in centre of your choice. And the Jab Cab is available to anyone who needs to make an appointment to register one of their overseas vaccinations with the NHS, it’s designed to support anyone to access the benefits of the vaccination programme.”
Pre-booked appointments can be made using the National Booking Service or by calling 119. Walk-in clinics are advertised on the Norfolk and Waveney walk-in site, which can be found at https://apps.norfolk.gov.uk/WalkIn/.
Anyone that is Covid-19 positive who has a booked appointment is urged to cancel their appointment in good time and wait until they are symptom free before they have their vaccine. Following national guidance, adults who are 18+ should wait 28 days from a positive Covid-19 test and be fit, well and symptom free before they receive a dose of the vaccine, and that increases to 84 days for those aged 12-17.
Among the latest published vaccination data shows that, as of Sunday, March 20, 2022:
• 94% of people over the age of 18 in Norfolk and Waveney had received their first dose, compared to 92% of adults in England
• 92% of people over the age of 18 in Norfolk and Waveney had also received their second dose, compared to 89% of adults in England
• 31%, or 955 clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) 5-11s have been vaccinated (with one dose), compared to 16% regionally
