Throughout Spring 2023 our Outreach Vaccination team has been offering boosters to those at highest risk of severe illness from Covid-19. The vaccine offers added protection if Covid rates are high over the summer months and reduces people’s chances of needing hospital treatment if they do catch the virus.
However, those eligible for the Covid vaccination only have just over one week to get their jab, as the spring vaccination programme ends on Friday 30 June.
Those who can get a spring vaccination include people aged 75 and over, anyone over five years of age with a weakened immune system, residents of care homes for older adults, and anyone who still needs their second booster.
Earlier this week BBC Radio Gloucestershire reporter Christopher Mace went along to a drop-in vaccination clinic at the Redwell Centre in Matson, Gloucester, where he spoke to Oonagh Wilson, who manages the Gloucestershire Health and Care Outreach Vaccination team.
Oonagh explained how the team has supported each phase of the Covid programme, offering vaccinations in community-based pop-up clinics in various locations across Gloucestershire. She said: “We provide clinics in a variety of venues, such as cafes, libraries, community hubs and venues that support the homeless.
“The team offers a roving model, based on offering vaccines to areas where we may have low vaccine uptake, or underserved communities who have limited access to public transport, etc. If people have concerns about receiving the Covid vaccine, they are welcome to come and have a conversation with us.
“We also have the opportunity to offer basic health checks, such as blood pressure checks, and provide people who attend the clinics with health information, as well as signpost them to health services, partner organisations and local services.”
Christopher also spoke to Vanessa Worrall, Project Manager at the Redwell Centre, who said: “When the NHS goes out anywhere in the community it’s amazing, because people know where we are, we’re right on their doorstep, and we’re really easy to get to.
“And they can do other things while they’re waiting. They can chat with our staff members, have a cup of tea, see what else is going on and find out other ways we can support them. To have the NHS come out to us is very favourable with our community.”
You can listen to the BBC Radio Gloucestershire news report from 3:22:43 here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0frf2r2
Drop-in vaccination clinics
Those eligible for the Covid vaccine can drop into any of the sessions below:
- Cheltenham East Fire Station – Thursday 22 June, 4.30-6.30pm
- All Pulling Together, Stonehouse – Friday 23 June, 10am-2pm
- GL11 Fun Day at GL11 Community Hub, Cam – Saturday 24 June, 11am-2pm
- The Main Place, Coleford – Monday 26 June, 11am-3pm
