MELKSHAM’S Covid vaccination service will be re-starting from September for 12 weeks at Spencer’s Sport and Social Club.
“Your three local GP practices will once again be stepping up to deliver Covid vaccinations to their patients from September to Christmas for the Autumn vaccination programme,” explains Dr Abby Burgess, the Covid programme lead for the Melksham and Bradford on Avon Primary Care Network (PCN), which delivered over 100,000 vaccines at Spencer’s from December 2020 up until its summer hiatus at the end of May this year.
“Covid Infection rates are extremely high in our local area making it more important to ensure you book in for you Covid Autumn booster as well as your flu vaccine.”
You are eligible for a Covid and flu vaccination if you are:
• Aged 50 or over
• Aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
• Aged 5-49 years who are household contacts of people with a suppressed Immune System
• Aged 16-49 years who are carers
• Residents in care homes
• Frontline health and social care workers
Dr Burgess continues, “Your practices are currently contacting you with details of the programme and shortly those wishing to have their vaccines will receive an appointment.
“Anyone in the community or outside of the local area will be able to use the National Booking Service to secure a Covid vaccine appointment: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
“We have continued to offer vaccines over the summer months for those who may have missed out previously. We are especially keen that anyone who is immunosuppressed comes forward to have a vaccine if they are due one as this group is incredibly vulnerable from the effects of covid infection.
“Please take advantage of this local vaccination service which will run for a finite time ( 15- 17 weeks) and get yourself protected against Covid and flu. The more people who are protected the greater the chance we will be able to stay healthy and live our lives without further restrictions.”
To support the vaccine service, the local PCN is appealing for new team members.
“To enable our vaccination service to run successfully up to Christmas time we are looking for new team members,” said Dr Burgess. “If you would like to join our team as a vaccinator, clinical consenter, receptionist, or volunteer, then please get in touch. For most roles, including vaccinating, you do not need any previous clinical or vaccination experience but if you do this would be a bonus. All training will be supplied. Contact David.bolwell1@nhs.net for more information.”
