People in Somerset who have not yet had their COVID-19 vaccinations are being encouraged to come forward over the summer.
Councillor Adam Dance, Somerset County Council Lead Executive Member for Public Health, Equalities and Diversity said:
“Covid-19 and several other infectious diseases are circulating, so we would like to remind people to take care when mixing with people indoors and outside. We’re all well used to taking sensible precautions like washing our hands frequently, covering our mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and stepping forward for the jabs we’re eligible for. If you or someone you love hasn’t yet had any of their covid vaccinations, we hope that the appointments available over the summer will make it quick and easy for you to come along and get protected. We know that the covid vaccination is highly effective at increasing immunity and significantly reduces the risk of hospitalisation.”
Vaccination clinics will be open across the county over the summer holidays offering appointments and walk in options for people to get their first, second and initial booster doses. Jabs will be available to everyone eligible from aged 5+. Anyone who is 75 on or after the 1st July 2022 are now asked to wait until the Autumn to get their next booster, although people who are immunosuppressed are still able to come forwards. Pregnant women are also being encouraged to have their vaccinations and are advised to speak with their midwife for further advise.
Gary Risdale, Programme manager for Somerset’s Covid-19 vaccination programme said: “Somerset has a very high uptake of vaccinations with over 91% of the population over 18 having had at least one dose. However, people can still get very ill from the virus and in readiness for the very busy Autumn period we are strongly encouraging the remainder of the population to take advantage of the quieter Summer months and get their jabs done now”
Appointments can be made by calling 119 or booking online through the opens in a new windowNational Booking Service. A number of walk-in clinics will also be available. Details and times can be found by visiting the opens in a new windowGrab a Jab website.
The Autumn Booster programme will begin at the start of September. Full details will be made available shortly, but the vaccination will be made available to the following groups:
- residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
- frontline health and social care workers
- all adults aged 50 years and over
- persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
- persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers