The Covid-19 vaccination programme continues across West Sussex, with 84% of the 807,000+ eligible recipients having received their 1st dose and 78% their 2nd. As I write there are around 223,000 eligible for their booster vaccination with a take up rate of 56.7%.
I have received a few reports of difficulties in availability of booster appointments from constituents and having fed this into Sussex Commissioners am advised that they are working to increase availability of appointments. Our local Mid Sussex vaccination centres, as well as those further afield, can now be booked with the National Booking System if you had your 2nd jab 6 months ago (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/book-or-manage-a-booster-dose-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/ ). If you would prefer a local appointment and the National Booking System doesn’t offer you availability the advice we’ve received is to try again in a couple of days as the local team work to increase appointments. I am assured there is no shortage of vaccine supply.
I am very aware that Mid Sussex is experiencing one of the highest Covid 19 infection rates in the UK over the last 7 days. The cases data, as of today, the 19th Nov, is showing 716.4 cases per 100, 000 population (https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases).
Drilling down on this data shows the following age groups are particularly affected: 40-49 (average of 784.2/100TH) and 5-19 year olds (2032.7/100TH), with the 10-14 year olds actually at an extremely concerning rate of 3,709.7/100TH.
Sussex Commissioners have explained that there is a low consent rate for Covid-19 vaccinations for the 12-15 year old age group, around 40% only, and whilst they are working with the Directors of Public Health to reduce spread and support schools at this time, the message is clear – ‘Please get your child vaccinated’.
From today the NHS App will also now show the booster vaccination as part of the Covid Pass – if your App doesn’t show this please contact me and one of my casework team will support you with enquiries.
The Winter Flu Jab programme continues to roll out alongside the Covid 19 vaccinations. For those who are eligible, the Covid Booster and Flu jabs can be given at the same time in many centres. If you had your Covid vaccination at Clair Hall you’ll find that ABC are running the Flu programme there too. More details are available here: https://abcltd.org.uk/flu-vaccination-programme/ .