Against the current national backdrop of falling Covid infections, the seasonal booster vaccine programme is getting under way in Rye.
We are mindful that some experts forecast a return to rising levels of infection as we progress into winter. Therefore, it is important that the elderly, the vulnerable, health and care workers book a seasonal booster jab when they become eligible.
Covid boosters, as top-up vaccinations, are on offer to those aged 65 and over, health workers, carers and pregnant women.
After the summer break, on Monday, September 12 several hundred patients, mostly aged 65 plus, progressed through the vaccination centre in Tilling Green to receive their boosters.
Rye is delivering an updated version of the Covid-19 vaccine made by Moderna – a “bivalent” vaccine that targets two Covid variants. In each dose of the bivalent (Spikevax Original/Omicron vaccine) half targets the original virus strain from 2020 and the other half targets the Omicron variant. This new vaccine meets the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
Although many believe that Covid is over, if and when you are eligible for an autumn Covid-19 booster, please book a jab, when invited to do so. Only by keeping vaccinations up to date, do people remain best protected against the virus.
Winter flu jabs will be delivered in a separate programme managed by pharmacists and GP surgeries. It is expected to start in early October with bookings mainly online.
The Rye Vaccination Centre continues to be provided by Clarity Chemists and supported by numerous community volunteers.
The vaccinations delivered this week will take the Rye centre closer to a total of some 50,000 jabs since the start in spring 2021.
Image Credits: Department of Health and Social Care/NHS .