COVID-19 vaccination programme passes 2.5 million doses in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

The COVID-19 vaccination effort has reached another milestone this week with 2.5 million jabs now having been given.

COVID has not gone away, and an increase in cases has coincided with recent events such as the Jubilee Bank Holiday and Glastonbury Festival.

That’s why it is essential that anyone who is eligible gets vaccinated. That includes people aged over 75 or with compromised immune systems who can still get their spring boosters. It also includes people who have not had any or all of their first three vaccinations.

Dr Paddy Hannigan, Clinical Lead for the vaccination programme across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent said: “While it is less prominent in the headlines COVID-19 is a serious disease that is still spreading in the community and our best protection against it is vaccination.

“We have never taken our foot off the pedal as far as the vaccine effort is concerned and delivering 2.5 million doses is an impressive achievement. We are incredibly lucky to have access to life saving vaccines, and we shouldn’t take this for granted.

“Spring booster vaccinations are still available for anyone aged over 75. These are bookable online for those who are eligible. Special arrangements can be made for anyone who is housebound.”

Those eligible include:

• 1st and 2nd doses for people aged 5 years old and over
• boosters for people aged 16 years old and over, plus at-risk children aged 12 to 15 years old
• spring boosters for people aged 75 years old and over, plus people aged 12 years old and over with a weakened immune system
• additional primary doses for people with a severely weakened immune system aged 12 years old and over

Dr Hannigan added: “Dealing with COVID-19 is still taking up considerable NHS resources and people are still becoming seriously unwell. We are also still learning about the lasting impact of Long Covid which can be very debilitating. Its not worth the risk and I’d urge people to come forward and get your vaccination to keep yourself and your loved ones safe especially as we head into the holiday season.”