Local NHS teams vaccinate over half of adult care home residents in first few weeks.
The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has vaccinated more than 3,800 older adult care home residents across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) in just three weeks of the campaign starting – over half of people eligible.
Roving teams of NHS staff have been visiting local care homes as part of the campaign which launched on Monday 3 April.
According to the latest unaudited data, 3,857 care home residents have taken up the offer – 57% of those eligible.
NHS teams will continue to visit the remaining older adult care homes in the coming weeks and months to offer protection to all those eligible.
In total, the NHS has given more than 61,750 spring vaccinations across BOB in just over a week since the offer was rolled out beyond care homes.
More than 206,700 people in our health region are eligible for the spring jab in line with national guidance, which includes people 75 and over, those aged five and over with a weakened immune system, and care home residents.
It is the first time that thousands of eligible people have been sent their invites through the NHS App, where they can also book an appointment, as the NHS continues to expand its digital capabilities.
Text messages and letters will also be sent to those without the app or not actively using it. There are around 4,750 appointments available over the next week across BOB.
Alicia Siraj, Head of Health Promotion for the Integrated Care Board which manages NHS services across BOB, said: “It’s great that more than 61,750 people have taken up the offer so far to have their spring covid jab.
“This week alone, we’ve had more than 26,000 bookings, with thousands more booked in for the coming week.
“However, there are still slots available over the coming weeks so I would encourage people who have been invited for their jab to come forward.
“If you believe you are eligible for a vaccine but do not get invited by the NHS, you can check online at nhs.uk and search ‘covid vaccination’. Or you can book yourself an appointment via the National Booking Service and speak to a clinician on site.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said: “The highest hospital admission rates for Covid-19 continue to be among the over-75s, so it is important everyone in this age group keeps their immunity topped up by coming forward for their spring booster.
“The virus has not gone away and we continue to see thousands of cases reported every week, so topping up your protection is particularly important for groups who are more vulnerable.”
This latest vaccination is being offered to those considered most at risk, following advice from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation. Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.
The last spring vaccination appointments will be offered on 30 June.
Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged 5 on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after that date, following recent advice from the JCVI. After 30 June, the NHS offer will be for those at increased risk, usually during seasonal campaigns.