Vulnerable people in Essex urged to get Covid-19 booster
Spring boosters will be available until June.
Vulnerable people across Essex are being encouraged to get their Covid-19 boosters this Spring.
People over 75, those in care homes, and those with suppressed immune systems are said to be at risk of becoming seriously ill without the jabs.
The local authority and health services hope to get every eligible person vaccinated by June.
Dr Danny Showell, Public Health Consultant for the County Council, explains why regular boosters are necessary.
He said: “People will be invited to receive their vaccination, so they don't have to do anything. They should just wait to get the invitation through, which will tell them how to make the appointment and access the vaccine.
“COVID-19 is still a virus that is circulating, it's still around in the communities, particularly hitting in the winter months. The vaccination is highly effective at protecting people from the most severe effects of COVID-19, but unfortunately the immunity from it wanes. So, 12 months after having had it then your immunity is really quite low. That's why the government is funding the vaccination, to top up the immunity in people who are most vulnerable.”
Dr Showell continued: “There are still cases, but it's nothing like what it was before. It's not a major problem at the moment because we've had the protection from the vaccinations and people's natural immunity having had the virus once or twice already.
"If we didn't offer the vaccination to people 75 years and older, then we could anticipate that we would see more illness, more people getting seriously ill and needing hospitalisation, and some people losing their life as a result of COVID-19.”