Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, is encouraging Milton Keynes residents to 'build a wall of protection' against COVID-19 as we enter the winter months by taking up the option of a booster jab.
It was recently announced that over 40s will now be eligible to get a third dose of the vaccine to ensure immunity to the virus doesn't wane ahead of a critical period of cold weather over December, January and February.
And both Saxon Court and the Rainbow Pharmacy at The Open University are offering walk-in jabs for anybody eligible to make it as convenient as possible.
Ben is also hoping 12-15 year olds will take up the opportunity to get their first dose of the vaccine and that any 16 or 17 year old who had their first more than 12 weeks ago will come forward for their second dose.
Ben Everitt MP said: "The latest official data shows there are 47 people currently in Milton Keynes University Hospital with COVID and cases locally have risen by 27% over the past week so I would urge anyone who hasn't yet had their third jab to come forward and help us build a wall of protection against the virus.
"We're entering the cold winter months where people are more likely to spend time indoors together which increases the risk of the virus spreading and to ensure immunity doesn't wane the third dose is really important."
"And we've seen a rise in cases amongst school children so if you're 12 to 15 and haven't had your vaccine yet it's a really effective way to reduce transmission of the virus."
Ben is also warning about the increased risk of flu this winter after after a year of restrictions which means protection against viruses may be lower than usual and the seasonal influenza and COVID-19 viruses have the potential to add substantially to the winter pressures usually faced by the NHS, particularly if infection waves from both viruses coincide.
He is highlighting the Government's biggest season flu vaccine programme in history which is offering a free flu jab to more people than ever before. You can see a list of those eligible below:
- all children aged 2 to 15 (but not 16 years or older) on 31 August 2021
- those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- those aged 50 years and over
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline health and social care staff employed by:
- a registered residential care or nursing home
- registered domiciliary care provider
- a voluntary managed hospice provider
- Direct Payment (personal budgets) and/or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
