With COVID infections on the rise again in Leeds and mounting pressures on health and care services, people who are eligible for a COVID booster are being urged to get the vital jab as soon as possible.

Like all vaccines, immunity from the COVID vaccinations wanes over time so those at greater risk from the virus are being offered a booster jab this autumn to keep their protection levels as high as possible.

Everyone aged 50 years and over or aged five and over with a health condition that puts them at increased risk from COVID is being urged to get the booster to help protect them against serious illness or hospitalisation. This includes people who are immunosuppressed and pregnant women, whose immunity is lower during pregnancy putting them and their baby at increased risk from the virus.

Unpaid carers are also eligible for a booster to help protect them and those they care for, as are all frontline health and social care workers. Carers can self-declare when booking to make getting an appointment as easy as possible.

Anyone eligible can book their booster using the National Booking Service, which will allow you to find a convenient vaccination centre. You can book online at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119 free of charge.

The NHS is also running a number of pop-up vaccination clinics in local communities to help make it as easy as possible for people to get their booster. Dates and times of these will be shared at www.healthandcareleeds.org/walk-in-clinics or you can check the NHS site-finder to find details of any centres near you that are offering walk-in appointments.

If you have any questions or concerns about the booster vaccination, please come along to any of the pop-up clinics where one of the health professionals will be happy to talk to you and answer any questions you have. Further information is also available at www.nhs.uk/covid-booster or the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board website.

 

 

West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board

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