NHS issues booster plea to people in Derbyshire ahead of Christmas and New Year as COVID cases rise

People across Derbyshire are being urged to get boosted ahead of Christmas and New Year. With cases of COVID-19 on the rise again and people set to gather from across the country for the festive and New Year celebrations, the NHS is urging anyone eligible to get back up to around 90% protection against serious illness from COVID.

Cases of COVID are rising in the community, with the latest figures showing that there are over 1,000 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals across the East Midlands.

The protection from vaccines reduces over time, so the booster is being offered to those at greatest risk from COVID to increase their protection during the winter months when viruses spread most easily.

This includes everyone aged 50 and over and those with conditions that put them at greater risk from COVID, such as people with certain types of cancer (including leukaemia or lymphoma), chronic kidney disease, diabetes and pregnant women. The booster offers protection against Omicron variants as well as the original COVID variants.

People can book their latest dose through the national booking system or by calling 119. You can also get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from a walk-in site without an appointment. People can find their nearest walk-in sites on the NHS website.

There are more than 260 sites in the East Midlands that are making the vaccine as accessible as possible ahead of Christmas including pop-ups at food banks, community health centres and places of worship.

Roz Lindridge, the NHS England director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said: “It’s easy to forget the devastating consequences of COVID now that we’re back to a normal way of life, but the virus is still with us and we need to do all we can to prevent another surge this winter and keep people protected.

“If you are yet to have your COVID booster or flu jab, please book in as soon as possible and take up the opportunities on offer around the country this weekend to ensure you have the best possible protection over Christmas and New Year.

”While over 3 million people have already had their autumn booster jab, we can’t be complacent. That’s why it’s crucial that all those eligible, from those at risk and pregnant women to frontline health and social care workers, book their appointments as soon as possible to keep immunity levels high.

“We also need to ensure those eligible for their free flu vaccine are coming forward for necessary protection this winter. It is remarkable what the vaccines have achieved and they remain one of the best tools we have to protect the most vulnerable and keep serious illness low.”

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The NHS is also rolling out this year’s flu vaccine, with eligible people able to get their flu and COVID jab at the same time depending on local system arrangements. Currently, over 43% of people (over 3 million) in the Midlands have had their flu jabs.

In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for an autumn COVID booster this year include:

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, as set out in the Green Book.

Persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression.

Persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers, as set out in the Green Book.