Posted on: 24 April 2024
The NHS in West Yorkshire delivered over 13,500 vaccines in local adult care homes in the first week of the spring COVID-19 vaccination campaign (15 May).
With more than 700,000 eligible people booking appointments in the UK so far since the National Booking System opened on Monday (15 April) the NHS is encouraging everyone eligible to book a vaccinated slot as soon as possible via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by ringing 119 free of charge.
Following Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice, the eligible cohorts this spring include:
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- Adults aged 75 years and over by 30 June 2024
- Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.
Across West Yorkshire pharmacies and GPs are offering thousands of appointments available every day until the end of June. Some local sites offer walk-ins with a full list of West Yorkshire locations available on the NHS walk-in finder.
This week, vaccinations began in older adult care homes and for eligible housebound patients, with wider appointments starting from this week.
By Monday evening (22 April), over 13,500 vaccinations were given in local care adult care homes. Additional vaccinations were delivered to care home residents in other locations, such as their GP practice.
The NHS is contacting everyone who is eligible via text, email, or letter but people do not need to wait for an invite to book.
Across West Yorkshire vaccinations will be delivered in over 180 participating pharmacies, GP led primary care networks and at advertised pop-up clinic events.
GP and Medical Director of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board,
Dr James Thomas said:
“It’s good to see older people living in local care homes receiving over 13,500 vaccinations so far, and the number of bookings already made in the first week of the spring campaign continues to rise.
However, people are still being hospitalised and some have severe illnesses, particularly among those most at risk. So I encourage everyone who is aged 75 and over and those who have a weakened immune system, to book their COVID-19 vaccination to ensure they have the best protection.
Don’t rely on a previous COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters to protect you. We know that immunity fades after about six months. Keep your COVID-19 vaccinations up to date and book yours now.
You can book an appointment easily and quickly on the NHS App, by calling 119 for free, or visiting the NHS website, which also lists walk-in sites across our region that you can visit without an appointment.”
Asghar Khan, Managing Director at Medicare Chemists who provide COVID-19 vaccinations in Huddersfield and Holmfirth said:
“Since this spring’s NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme kicked off last Monday, our Medicare teams have visited 48 care homes in Huddersfield and Holmfirth and already given vaccinations to over 1200 older adults.”
“As we go into the next phase of the campaign, we know that protection against Covid-19 reduces over time which is why our pharmacies - and many of the over 180 pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccinations in West Yorkshire - provide a walk-in service for people in the most at-risk groups to come and get their COVID-19 jab.”
Covid-19 can still be very dangerous and even life-threatening, particularly for older people and those with a weakened immune system. The vaccine gives good protection and helps reduce the risk of serious illness or death, needing to go to hospital, catching and spreading the virus, and protects against different variants.
The NHS is also encouraging those eligible to get the shingles vaccine, which is recommended for all adults turning 65 from 1 September 2023, those aged 70 to 79, and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system. Anyone eligible should be contacted by their GP surgery to book an appointment.