Vaccinations – With restrictions now gone, schools back and mass events underway again, it can be easy to forget that Covid-19 is still circulating and causing distress and disruption to Hertfordshire families, communities and essential services. It is vital that we all remain vigilant and keep taking preventative measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19, so we can continue doing the things we enjoy.

The good news is that people who are vaccinated are much less likely to become seriously ill. If you’ve already had Covid-19, you still need the vaccine. The increased immunity that a vaccination provides will protect you, the people you care about and the way we are able to live our lives in the months ahead.

For questions about the Covid-19 booster programme Click Here

School based vaccination programme – Due to the positive response to the vaccination offer from Hertfordshire’s 12–15-year-olds and their parents, there have been some occasions when it hasn’t been possible to vaccinate everyone during the initial allocated clinic times in their secondary schools.

HCT, the NHS organisation providing school-based vaccinations in Hertfordshire, is in the process of scheduling catch up visits to schools where necessary. The details of these sessions will be shared with parents and carers via school headteachers as soon as possible.

Immunosuppressed individuals – third primary doses – In line with guidance issued on 2 September, a third ‘primary’ dose of a Covid vaccine should be offered to people aged 12 years and over with severe immunosuppression, and the people they live with Click Here

National JCVI guidance states that those who are on regular immunosuppressive medication or have relatively stable immunosuppression can be called for vaccination 8 weeks after their second dose.

Anyone eligible that hasn’t been invited for this vaccination should get in touch with their GP practice, tell practice staff they are immunosuppressed, and ask them to arrange a third primary dose of vaccine as soon as possible Click Here

Reminders going out to un-vaccinated residents this weekend

Text messages, emails and letters will be sent by the NHS to anyone who has not yet taken up their full vaccination offer – encouraging them to come forward. Please remind the people you know that they will always be welcome in a vaccination clinic. Details of how to book, or walk-in to a drop-in clinic, can be found here.

Pregnancy and vaccination

Covid-19 vaccines are strongly recommended in pregnancy as the best way to protect against the known risks of Covid-19 for both mothers and babies. Plus, vaccinated mothers who breastfeed can pass on protective antibodies to their babies. 

A range of resources featuring local maternity staff, mums and babies are now available online including; a new video and a leaflet. The leaflet will be printed and distributed at ante-natal clinics and the video will be widely shared on social media and through local networks. The new website page: https://covid.healthierfuture.org.uk/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility features more information for people who want to find out more about the vaccine. 

Resources:

For Rapid Testing Click Here

To Book a PCR test  Click Here

The Herts County Council Roving Rapid Testing service was stood down at the end of September, as demand for supervised testing decreased.

To collect or book Home testing kits Click Here

For Walk In Vaccination Clinic times and locations Click Here

Details of Hertfordshire infection rates can be seen on the HCC website Click Here

For Hertfordshire NHS COVID vaccination webpage Click Here

For the Play Your Part Campaign resources for Social Media Click Here

For all your Covid Information Resources at CDA Herts please Click Here including:

False information and Needle Phobia; Information about the vaccination programme in different languages and formats; CIC created videos in different languages about vaccinations and pregnancy; Walk-In Vaccination Clinic dates and locations and the Cabinet Office Stakeholder resources updated weekly.HertsHelp: www.hertshelp.net email or call 0300 123 4044