Over 76,000 people protected from COVID in first weeks of Autumn Booster campaign
76,156 people in Coventry & Warwickshire have already received their autumn booster dose just two weeks into the NHS’s latest campaign against COVID-19. This includes people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, the severely immunosuppressed, carers and frontline health and care workers.
Everyone who takes up the booster vaccine this autumn will increase their protection ahead of the winter months when respiratory viruses are typically at their peak. Cases of COVID are rising in the community with the return to school and cooler weather helping to spread the virus.
There are 37 sites in Coventry & Warwickshire that are now offering COVID boosters – mainly community pharmacies and GP premises as well as a few bigger centres – so it should be more convenient than ever for people to get their vaccinations. Roving teams are also visiting care homes and housebound patients to ensure the most vulnerable members of the population are vaccinated.
The NHS is also rolling out this year’s flu vaccine, with eligible people able to get their flu and COVID jab at the same time depending on local system arrangements.
Dr Angela Brady, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board said: “We are so pleased to hit this number within the first several weeks of the booster campaign, and we still have a long way to go, I would strongly encourage those who are eligible to book to have their autumn booster and flu vaccination to ensure they remain protected this winter”’
“We know how well the vaccination works in protecting people and we want eligible people in Coventry and Warwickshire to get protected as soon as possible before we get into the depths of winter”.
Adam Williams, Associate Director of Operations at CWPT (Lead Provider for the vaccination programme) said:
“Our vaccination sites across Coventry & Warwickshire which are based in a number of GP-led hubs, clinics, hospital hubs, pharmacies and community services are doing a fantastic job delivering the autumn booster and protecting the public against serious illness this winter.
COVID-19 hasn’t gone away and it can still be life threatening, especially to those at greater risk, so it’s vital that if you’re eligible, you get your next dose as soon as possible.”
In the coming weeks, those aged 50-64 will be invited to come forward for their booster in line with guidance set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
People can book their autumn COVID-19 booster through the national booking system or by calling 119.