The NHS vaccination programme in Kirklees is pulling out all the stops to offer everyone aged 18 and over the chance to book a COVID-19 booster vaccine by the end of December.
In response to the national effort to protect people against the Omicron variant, extra appointments are being made available at centres across the region, with staff working round the clock to get people jabbed as quickly as possible.
Online bookings opened earlier this week for people aged 30 and above, and to everyone aged 18 and over from today (Wednesday 15th December). People are being asked to do their bit and book an appointment for their vital booster jab as soon as they are eligible. Booking an appointment rather than walking in will help staff to see people as quickly as possible and allow more people to be vaccinated, as well as minimising the need for people to wait.
All areas in the West Yorkshire region are working to dramatically increase the number of appointments available, with local authorities and voluntary and community organisations continuing to play a key part in the rollout. Additional appointments are already on offer at all five of the large-scale vaccination centres in the region, as well as at the vaccination services run by GPs and community pharmacies. There are also a variety of pop-up and outreach services across the region, with details advertised locally and on Clinical Commissioning Group websites.
Carol McKenna, Kirklees CCG Chief Officer and lead for the West Yorkshire COVID-19 Vaccination programme, said: “Our vaccination teams across West Yorkshire have been amazing and together have delivered almost 4 million jabs so far.
“Services have already ramped up appointment numbers for this week and these will continue to increase as we put more capacity in place. We are looking at a number of measures to help us boost all adults as quickly as possible, including extending opening hours and bringing in additional staff.
“As ever it will be a real team effort and we are hoping people in West Yorkshire will do all they can to support us. Booking an appointment rather than walking in will help us to vaccinate more people so please book your appointment as soon as you are eligible. More appointments are being added to the National Booking Service all the time so keep checking back if you can’t get an appointment as quickly as you would like.
“We’re also asking people to be patient and not to call their GP practice about getting a booster – practices will contact patients when it is their turn or people can book an appointment through the National Booking Service if they prefer.
“And please show the vaccination teams and the volunteers supporting them kindness. They are working incredibly hard to get people boosted as quickly as possible and protect our communities.”
Alongside boosters, centres will continue to offer first and second doses and the NHS is urging anyone who has not yet taken up the offer to come forward as soon as possible.
Carol McKenna added: “It’s never too late to get protected so I would urge anyone who hasn’t had their first or second vaccination to take advantage of all the extra appointments that are being made available and book in as soon as possible.”
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “As we celebrate twelve months of the Covid-19 vaccination programme, I want to pay tribute to Kirklees residents who have stepped up to protect themselves and their community. I also want to thank all NHS staff, council colleagues and all those local volunteers who have delivered such a remarkable programme and will continue to do so over the Christmas period.
“Over the last 12 months over 306,000 local people have had their first dose, 278,000 of those have received their second and 135,000 people have now received their booster dose. I want to thank you all for playing your part.
“I know there is currently some uncertainty about the Omicron variant. But we know that taking up your booster and getting tested regularly remain the most effective ways of reducing the spread of the virus.
“Anyone over 18 can book a Covid-19 booster appointment online if it’s been two months since your second dose. You can find out more about how to book your booster online as well as information about drop-in vaccination centres on the council’s website. If you haven’t had your first or second dose yet, it’s not too late to protect yourself. Just log on to the NHS website or call 119 to arrange yours.