Is it an emergency?
Posted on
in Ipswich and East Suffolk News, North East Essex News, West Suffolk News
Today, Friday December 9th, marks the second anniversary of the very first COVID vaccination being administered locally, and since then the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) area has remained one of the top performers in England for the success of its vaccination programme.
Over those two years, 2,787,083 vaccinations have been delivered, involving an estimated 696,770 hours of work by an incredible team of staff and volunteers at a variety of locations – including GP practices and pharmacies, hospitals, community centres and even touring ‘buses, a football stadium and a former car showroom, with an estimated 850 “pop-up” clinics and 99 fixed-site locations.
Elizabeth Moloney, who leads ICB’s vaccination programme, said: “The scale of the vaccination programme has been incredible and like nothing we’ve seen before. Considering the devastating impact that COVID has on people’s lives, we cannot consider this anniversary a celebration, but it’s important we acknowledge how far we have come and recognise that COVID vaccination is the reason our lives have been able to return to near normal.
“I am grateful to everyone involved in the vaccination programme and for all their efforts, which will never be forgotten.
“We must be mindful though of the fact that COVID remains with us. The onset of the cold winter weather as well as the Christmas party season where more people will be socialising indoors means it is essential for those eligible and who are not fully vaccinated to come forward now, whether it’s for their booster or even their 1st or 2nd dose, so they are best protected. There are dozens of walk-in clinics happening locally or appointments can be booked online.
“This winter we are doubly threatened, not just by COVID but by the flu virus too. We continue to see increasing numbers of flu cases in our hospitals, particularly with young children. It’s so important that parents and carers bring their children forward for flu vaccination, and some of the COVID vaccination sites are offering flu vaccinations too.”
Visit www.sneevaccine.org.uk for trusted facts on vaccination, eligibility and locations of COVID walk-in clinics.