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With new variants of coronavirus circulating in some parts of the country, it is more important than ever to have your COVID vaccination as soon as you are offered it, and to make sure you get your 2^nd dose as soon as you are able, to ensure full protection.

Currently everyone aged 32 and over is now eligible to have their Covid-19 vaccine. Please go online by visiting Book a coronavirus vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk) or ring 119 to book.

If you have previously been offered a jab and decided at the time not to have it, it is not too late to change your mind. The following groups of people are more at risk of coronavirus and are encouraged to take up their vaccination offer:

• People aged 50 and above
• People over 16 who are at risk because of a health condition
• Health and social care workers
• Carers
• People who share a home with a clinically extremely vulnerable person

In line with government guidance, the NHS is also bringing forward when people in the highest priority groups above receive their second dose of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccination to as near as possible to 8 weeks after their first dose, if they haven’t already had it.

There will be more alternative appointments for 2^nd doses available over the bank holiday weekend across various sites within NEL. The people affected by this will receive a letter over the next few days and will be advised to access the national booking system to select an alternative suitable date and time to book a coronavirus vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk) or ring 119 to book. It’s important you take up this offer, to ensure as many people as possible are fully protected.

If you live in North East Lincolnshire and are having problems finding an appointment or need some support please ring us on 0300 3000 500 and we can help.

Dr Ekta Elston, a local GP and the medical director at NHS North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), explained that the best way to prevent outbreaks of COVID was for everyone to have their vaccination.

“We have all spent the last few months living under tight restrictions to keep COVID under control while we started vaccinating the people in our communities most likely to become very poorly from the virus,” explained Dr Elston.

“The new variant is a threat to the progress that has been made. No one wants to see the numbers of people fighting for their lives in hospital start to increase, or a return to the tough measures needed to prevent people passing the virus on to their friends, family and workmates if it starts to gain a hold again.

“Having as many people in our communities fully vaccinated will give us the best chance of keeping the virus at bay to prevent people becoming ill in large numbers.

“It’s so important people get the jab as soon as it’s offered to them. Also, if you had doubts when you were first offered it or you just didn’t get around to having it, please think again.”