Immunosuppressed people aged 16 and over in Lincolnshire are being urged to take advantage of now being able to book their covid booster online using the National Booking System.
With effect from Monday (31st January), the National Booking System has been updated to allow booster bookings to be made online by anyone aged 16 and over who is immunosuppressed, provided it is at least three months since their third dose.
“This is great news for anyone who is immunosuppressed, since the ability to book boosters online makes it even more convenient for anyone aged 16 or over to be able to access what is a very important vaccination,” explains Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS Lincolnshire CCG.
People who are immunosuppressed include those having treatment for conditions such as cancer or those with long-term chronic conditions that put them at greater risk if they were to get covid. Nationally there are approximately 400,000 people who are immunosuppressed and eligible for a booster or fourth jab.
“Extending the online booking to include booster jabs is about providing another option for people who’d rather have the reassurance of being able to book an appointment. However, it is still possible for anyone who is immunosuppressed and 16 or over to choose to have their booster on a walk-in basis at either of our Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston, or the Lincolnshire Showground, providing they bring a letter from their hospital consultant,” adds Rebecca.
Nationally more than nine out of ten of those who are immunosuppressed have had a third covid vaccination to-date.
“It’s incredibly important for those who are most at risk from covid to continue to come forwards for their vaccinations, including their booster jabs, since this is about getting the maximum possible protection from covid, which is all the more important for people with a weakened immune system,” comments Rebecca.
“We know that immunosuppressed people may not have received as much benefit from their first two doses of the covid vaccination, hence the importance of coming forwards for their subsequent vaccinations, including their booster, and why we are doing everything we can to make it as convenient as possible to access your jab,” concludes Rebecca.
The vaccination team at the Lincolnshire Showground will offer a further round of bespoke walk-in sessions for needle-phobic people and also for pregnant women, both due to be run on the same day next week, Wednesday 9th February, between 9am – 1pm.
And the pop-up vaccination sessions around the county will continue over the weekend/next week as listed below, enabling anyone eligible to get vaccinated as a walk-in (without an appointment), whether that be for a booster (16 and over) or for first and second doses (available to anyone aged 16 and over, as well as 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent):
Friday 4th February at XChurch, Ashcroft Road, Gainsborough DN21 1BY, between 10am and 6pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Saturday 5th February at the Fenside Community Centre, Taverner Road, Boston PE21 8NL, between 12pm and 7pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Saturday 5th February at Bridge Church, Portland Street, Lincoln LN5 7NN, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Sunday 6th February at the Boston Local Community Centre, Mitre Lane PE21 6EB (behind the old Marks and Spencer), between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Monday 7th February at Bridge Church, Portland Street, Lincoln LN5 7NN, between 10am and 6pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Monday 7th February at Fenside Community Centre, Taverner Road, Boston PE21 8NL, between 1pm and 7pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.
Saturday 12th February at Broad Street Methodist Church, Spalding PE11 1TB, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.