MELKSHAM’S vaccination centre is urging patients to take up the offer of a second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, after a number of ‘no-shows’ at recent clinics.
The Melksham & Bradford-on-Avon Primary Care Network – who are running Melksham’s vaccine programme from Spencer Sports and Social Club – is promoting the benefits of having the second dose, highlighting that it “increases the effectiveness of the vaccine”.
The PCN reports, “There have been a higher than usual number of DNAs (did not attend) at recent second dose clinics.
“All three practices in the Primary Care Network are urging their patients who are over 50 and clinically vulnerable to take up the offer of a second dose.”
“It is vitally important to have your second dose of Covid vaccination,” adds Dr Abby Burgess, “as it significantly increases the effectiveness of the vaccine – the evidence shows us that if you’ve had one dose of AstraZeneca, you have 76% cover, after a second dose this rises to 82%. For Pfizer this rises from 70% to 85% after a second dose.”
The PCN continues, “The national strategy is to ensure that this age group are given their second dose within 8 weeks of the date of their first dose and the practices have been pulling out all the stops to telephone patients individually to get them booked in.
“The whole team at Spencer’s really want to stress that three important things are prevented if you have your second dose of vaccine: 1) Symptomatic Covid infection 2) Severe disease requiring hospitalisation 3) Transmission of the virus to others.
“Team Spencer’s (as they are nicknamed) has been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the local community – but the best support they say you can give them is to make sure you come in for your second Covid vaccination.”
Dr Abby Burgess said, “Please have your second vaccine, by doing so you will be giving yourself the best possible chance of not getting unwell or having to go to hospital due to Covid-19 as well as stopping virus transmission to others.”
Meanwhile, the vaccination centre at Spencer Sports and Social Club continues to hit milestones and break records.
The PCN says, “The vaccination centre hit another milestone last weekend – over 41,300 vaccinations have been delivered since the centre opened its doors in December 2020.
“Indeed, the last three months have seen the centre break new records – vaccinating over 8,500 patients each month in March, April and May.
“Throughout this period Team Spencer’s have been giving the over 50s and clinically vulnerable their second doses whilst also upping the ante and reaching out to the over 30s for their first doses via the National Booking Service.
“The centre has now opened its doors weekday evenings and Saturdays to try and make it easier for the working age population to get their vaccination and all of the recent first dose clinics have been full.”
The local PCN is known as Melksham & Bradford on Avon Primary Care Network, and consists of the three GP practices Bradford on Avon & Melksham Health Partnership, Giffords Surgery and Spa Medical Practice – together they cover a population of c.48,000 residents. The vaccination programme is being delivered at Spencer Sports and Social Club.
