A message from our Director for Public Health, Jonathan O’Sullivan
I wanted to update you on the latest situation information, and to thank all of those who have had, or have booked an appointment for, a Covid-19 vaccine or booster jab. I also have some updates on what's happening in Islington to help keep you safe.
 |
Thank you
Thank you to the many hundreds of you who have taken the step to have their first and second vaccinations this week, as well as to the many thousands who’ve come for boosters, and to all the staff and volunteers who’ve made it possible.
A record 2,632 Covid-19 booster vaccinations were given in Islington on Wednesday this week, even higher than the daily record for first vaccinations in June. Almost 60,000 local people have now had their booster, and each week, 2,000 more people are getting their first and second vaccinations. Availability for Covid-19 vaccinations is continuing to increase significantly with many sites offering more appointments, more days and longer hours to get your vaccinations. open this weekend as a vaccination site. It will open its doors for people aged 18 and over. You can walk in without an appointment, online on the National Booking System.
News on boosters
Boosters are now available for everyone aged 18 and over who had their second vaccination at least three months ago. Getting your booster is more important than ever, as we are seeing new cases surging. Yesterday (Thursday), we received reports of 815 new diagnosed cases. This compares with the highest daily figure of 400 at the start of the second wave last December – and the data is not even complete yet. We are seeing this pattern across the whole of London.
Every dose gives you some protection against the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation from Covid-19, so if you haven’t had your first or second jab yet, now is the time to act.
I particularly want to encourage pregnant women as a high priority to get their vaccinations as soon as possible. The vaccinations are safe in pregnancy, but the virus is not and a significant number of those admitted to hospital are unvaccinated pregnant people.
Vaccine volunteers - we need you!
We now need even more people to come forward to help with this incredible effort. If you have some time and would like to be a part of this, please go to nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk to find out more and play a part.
 |
Helping keep our communities safe
Whatever your current vaccination status, we all need to keep taking a few measures to help keep ourselves and our communities safe. I’d ask you to consider which activities you’ve planned over the festive period matter most to you. This variant of Covid-19, Omicron, is very transmissible and is now dominant across the capital.
If you are mixing with others, then please do take a lateral flow test (LFT) beforehand, and make it part of your routine to take one regularly. At the current time, there is very high demand for kits locally and across the country. The issue is not the kits, but the ability to get the kit orders out nationally. Further capacity is currently being put into place to increase the distribution of kits, so please do not be put off if you need to make more than one attempt to get a kit. For more up to date information about how to access LFTs, links to pharmacy finder, online ordering and more, please go to the Gov.uk website.
If you get a positive LFT result, have symptoms, live with someone who has tested positive, or are asked to take one by NHS Test and Trace, please get a PCR test. We’ve made this easier with a new mobile testing unit, which opened this morning, next to the clock tower at Caledonian Park, N7 9HF. Testing sites are very busy currently, and you need to book an appointment at this and other sites to get a test: booking a test on Gov.UK.
Thank you again for all that you are doing. Please stay safe this weekend and head over to our website for the latest information in Islington at islington.gov.uk/coronavirus
Acting Director for Public Health, Islington and Camden.
|
