Lincolnshire closes in on 85% vaccination rate, but needs your help

With just over a week to go before COVID-19 restrictions are due to be eased on 19 July, the NHS in Lincolnshire is urging anyone who hasn’t yet been vaccinated, whether first or second time, to either attend one of the walk-in opportunities across the county, or to book an appointment as soon as possible.

As many of us get a sense of an impending return to some kind of new normal, it is arguably more important than ever that we all get vaccinated twice, particularly with the continuing rise of the Delta strain of the virus amongst younger unvaccinated people, who make up the bulk of those still to be vaccinated in Lincolnshire.

“Right now we have vaccinated 83.7% of all the people who need to have the vaccination,” explains Rebecca Neno, Deputy Chief Nurse, NHS Lincolnshire CCG.  “We need to hit 85% and the gap, in terms of numbers of people, is around 9,000.  It sounds like a big number, but it isn’t really when you think about where we started just over six months ago, and we have the vaccine supply and infrastructure in place to make it happen, we just need people to come forwards, particularly those aged 18-29.

“The success of the England football team over recent weeks has given all of us a massive boost and I think people are now beginning to think about a return to some kind of new normal, being able to get out and about more easily, and seeing family and friends, as well as for some the opportunity to travel abroad.  But to do all of these things as safely as possible you need to be vaccinated twice.”

The last 24 hours has seen a surge in holiday bookings since the government announced that fully vaccinated people returning to the UK from amber list countries will not have to self-isolate after 19 July.

“And this is great news for all of us and we want to make that happen for as many people as possible by continuing to offer both walk-in and pre-bookable vaccinations.  But we are concerned that many of the more recent covid cases are amongst younger and unvaccinated people.  So our message is simple – getting vaccinated is the best way to get maximum protection against covid, so get protected to enjoy the summer,” explains Rebecca.

As in previous weekends there are a series of walk-in events being run across Lincolnshire, including at the county’s two Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston, and the Lincolnshire Showground, as well as at the Co-op Pharmacy at Parkside, Boston, and in the Lincoln Mosque car park.  Next week there are more walk-in opportunities (see table under Notes to Editors) including late night walk-ins on Thursday 15 July, until 10pm, at the two Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston, and the Lincolnshire Showground.

“In addition to these sites, we’ve also added a number of others in Boston, Spalding, and at John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough, as well as in Stamford at the old VW garage on Uffington Road (which is pre-bookable only via the national booking system or by calling 119).  Please do take advantage of these walk-ins or if you’d prefer book an appointment by calling 119 or vising the national booking system. 

If you are unsure about having the vaccination, just come and talk to us – any of our teams are happy to listen to your questions and concerns, and provide the information you need to make an informed choice.  We are so close to where we need to be, but once again we need your help to get us over the line, so please do the right thing and get protected, not only so you can enjoy the summer, but for your own sake and that of your family and friends,” adds Rebecca.