Big Push to get Winter Strong in Wakefield District

People who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 are being invited to get Winter Strong, over the “Big Push” weekend (1 to 4 December) across Wakefield District.

Those eligible are encouraged to access the COVID-19 vaccination by simply walking into a number of locations across our District.

Those eligible this year include:

• all adults aged 65 years and over
• people aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
• frontline health and social care workers
• people aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• people aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults

Over 72,000 people in Wakefield have been jabbed so far.

It is important for those who are eligible to top up their protection, even if they have had a vaccine or been ill with COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

Chris Skelton, Senior Responsible Officer for the Vaccination Programme in Wakefield District, said: “It takes about two weeks for a vaccination to be fully effective, so in the run up to school holiday, Christmas and New Year I would encourage everyone in Wakefield who is eligible to visit a participating pharmacy, GP or to book an appointment online at www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations”.

Details of vaccination sites are also available on the Wakefield District Health and Care Partnership website www.wakefielddistricthcp.co.uk

These sites are also able to provide the flu vaccination for those eligible, dependent on availability.