Covid-19 is still here and in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), people aged 75 years and older (by 30 June 2023), all residents in care homes for older adults and people aged 5 years and over with a weakened immune system will be offered an additional dose of the Covid-19 vaccination this spring to top up their immunity and maintain protection from severe Covid-19.

If you or someone you know is eligible, appointments can be booked via the NHS website or by calling 119, or find your nearest walk-in site (no appointment required) on the NHS website. More information on Covid-19 vaccinations can be found here.

Data recently published by the UK Health Security Agency shows there has been a rise in measles cases.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to serious problems such as pneumonia, meningitis, and on rare occasions, long-term disability or death. Symptoms include a high fever, sore red watery eyes and a blotchy red-brown rash, and it is particularly easy to catch in environments when people are in close contact with others.

If you’re a parent, the government is urging you to check if your children are fully up to date with their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations by checking their personal child health record, known as the red book, or by contacting your GP

As we head into spring and summer, people are reminded to be ‘tick aware’ as they enjoy the great outdoors. You could be exposed to ticks whenever you spend time outdoors, including when in your garden or the local park.

Be aware:

• ticks mainly attach to animals including pets, but sometimes they may bite you or your family
• you can reduce the chance of tick bites by walking on clearly defined paths, using insect repellent and performing regular tick checks
• some tick bites can result in infection, like Lyme disease, so it is important to remove ticks safely and as quickly as possible
• the safest way to remove a tick is by using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool
• if you begin to feel unwell with flu-like symptoms or develop a spreading circular rash (which usually appears within 1 to 4 weeks after being bitten), contact your GP or dial NHS 111 promptly.

Voluntary organisations and community groups helping improve the health and well-being residents can once again apply for a range of financial support thanks to the  Local Communities Fund.

Support includes two cost-of-living grants where eligible groups can apply for up to £5,000. These grants are aimed at groups who are:

• Helping those who are struggling to buy nutritious food to help improve health and well-being and build resilience. This may include projects such as ‘cook and eat’ sessions where residents can better plan, cook and share nutritious, affordable meals.
• In need of a contribution towards their own rising energy bills to help keep their welcoming and warm centres and halls open across the county.

Eligible groups who applied for the first round of these grants (which were open between December 2022 to January 2023) are able to apply again, including those who were successful.

Grants are open until Sunday 4 June: The Local Communities Fund (LCF) | Nottinghamshire County Council

We are encouraging local people to make a pledge for Clean Air Day on 15 June. Clean Air Day is the UK's largest air pollution campaign, and every year air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.

Everyone can play their part in cleaning up our air. Why not download the Clean Air Day resource pack and post a photo with your pledge card and use #CleanAirDay to let us know what pledge you are taking! Don’t forget to tag us in @NottsCC.

Find out about what more you can do and make a Clean Air Day pledge by visiting https://www.cleanairhub.org.uk/clean-air-information/what-can-i-do