COVID-19 vaccine update for social care workers, vaccine Q&A and free adult community learning courses

In case you missed it: Tuesday’s event for London’s Bangladeshi community is now on YouTube 

On Tuesday (2 February), community leaders and public health experts joined our Leader, Cllr Georgia Gould, and the High Commissioner for Bangladesh to the UK, Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem at a virtual event for London’s Bangladeshi community. They gave advice and answered questions on: 

• Staying safe during the pandemic 
• What to do if you, or someone you live with, catches COVID-19 
• Information about the COVID-19 vaccine to support you to make an informed choice when it’s your turn to have the vaccine 

You can watch the event back on our YouTube channel. Please note that we’re getting the event translated into Sylheti and Bengali which we will share as soon as it’s ready. 

Healthwatch Camden is hosting a virtual Q&A on the COVID-19 vaccine – accessible via Zoom or a landline 

On Tuesday 16 February from 5.30pm to 7pm, local GPs and public health experts will be answering your COVID-19 vaccine questions. 

Register for the event online or by calling 020 73832 402. 

Speakers will include: 

• Dr Louise Jones, Chair, Healthwatch Camden (meeting facilitator)  
• Piers Simey, Acting Director of Public Health, Camden Council  
• Dr Agrawal, Museum Practice 
• Dr Baawuah, Brondesbury Medical Centre 
• Dr Ammara Hughes, Bloomsbury Surgery and Clinical Director Central Camden Primary Care Network 

Questions need to be submitted in advance so please send in when you register for the event, or you can email your questions to us. The deadline to ask questions is Friday 12 February. 

British Sign Language interpreters (BSL) will support this session. BSL users can click on the ‘pin’ function on Zoom to ensure the BSL interpreter is fully visible to you throughout the meeting. If you have other communication needs, please let Healthwatch know when you register or by calling 020 73832 402. 

Update on the COVID-19 vaccine for social care workers 

The COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to frontline social care workers working directly with people more vulnerable to COVID-19.  

We know many people with care needs directly employ personal assistants or care workers themselves. If you provide paid care either privately or via a direct payment to someone living in Camden, and have not already been given information about booking a vaccination by the person who employs you, please email socialcarevaccinationinfo@camden.gov.uk 

If you pay people to provide care, please share this information with your caregiver.  

Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine. 

New, extended opening hours at our rapid test sites 

The opening hours at the rapid COVID-19 test sites at Jamestown Road and Swiss Cottage Library have been extended to help people without symptoms who must leave home for work get a COVID-19 test. 

Even without COVID-19 symptoms you may be infectious and at risk of passing the virus on to others at work or during your commute. By taking a test, you are helping to protect yourself, and other members of the community – particularly those at highest risk of COVID-19.   

For more information and to book visit go to camden.gov.uk/rapidtest 

If you have COVID-19 symptoms please self-isolate and get a free test by calling 119 or via nhs.uk/coronavirus. If you need help booking call Camden Council on 020 7974 4444 (option 9). 

Social distancing in your home’s communal areas 

It's important to socially distance in any communal areas of your home to help keep you and your neighbours safe.   

If you live in a building with a lift, please always use the lifts safely: 

Please remember to follow lockdown restrictions 

Sadly, cases of coronavirus are still very high in London, so please continue to follow public health advice to prevent catching the virus and passing it on: 

• Wear a face covering in indoor public spaces unless you’re exempt 
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently 
• Keep your distance from people that you don’t live with 

For more information, visit gov.uk/coronavirus  

Have your say on our Healthy School Street proposals 

This month we have six Healthy School Street proposals open for you to comment on. We want to help more children to walk, cycle or scooter to school, with less air pollution, road danger, congestion and to provide more space for people to physically distance outside the school gates. Visit our website to see all the latest consultations and have your say to help make Camden's streets safer and healthier.  

Fill out our consultation here. 

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