Posted on Monday 10th January 2022
Staffordshire people will be able to get a booster vaccine at walk-in clinics throughout January, as case rates in the county remain extremely high.
The rapid spread of the Omicron variant during the Christmas and New Year period sees the county’s cases rate at just below 2,000 per 100,000 population. This puts more people at risk of becoming infected and becoming ill from Covid or needing to isolate, threating the delivery of essential services such as health and social care and transport.
The NHS has announced more walk-in vaccine clinics taking place across the county throughout January. People who have had a booster dose of the vaccine have good protection against the Omicron variant.
Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, Dr Johnny McMahon, said:
“It’s great to see more walk-in clinics announced to make it easier for Staffordshire people to start the year by getting boosted and getting protected. Omicron is still spreading through our communities at a much quicker rate than we’ve seen with previous variants, so it’s vital people give themselves as much protection as possible to avoid becoming ill from Covid and its long-term side effects.”
Walk-in clinic details can be found at www.twbstaffsandstoke.org.uk/coronavirus. People can also book a booster appointment via the national booking portal at www.nhs.uk/coronavirusvaccine
Anybody aged over 12 years old is eligible for a Covid vaccine, and people aged 18 and over can get a booster vaccine if three months has passed since their second dose.
New national guidance around PCR testing comes into effect this week. From 11 January, people who test positive on a rapid lateral flow test will not need to take a confirmatory PCR test and must self-isolate immediately.