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Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health has reiterated the importance of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

She also warned that without full protection the Omicron variant can still make some people seriously ill, despite it having been described as ‘mild’ by some commentators.

Hospital

Margaret Jones said: “The news that fewer people are being made seriously ill by Omicron and that the government is considering reducing the time infected people are required to self-isolate is being interpreted by some as the now-prominent variant being mild.

“However, unless you are fully vaccinated, which means two jabs and a booster, you are not fully protected and could end up having a stay in hospital, which surely none of us wants.”

The Government is reporting that monitoring shows protection for those aged 65 and over remains at about 90% around three months after their third dose booster. Having only two doses means protection against serious illness drops to around 70% after three months and to 50% after six months.

Huge disruption

Mrs Jones added: “While we still need to be wearing face coverings and maintaining social distance while out and about, vaccination is the single best way we can help prevent the huge disruption that is being caused to medical, transport and other services, while at the same time protecting ourselves and those around us.”

Hospitals in Cheshire and Merseyside currently have extremely high levels of bed occupancy and are seeing a huge rise in demand for their services.

The majority of people being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 have either not had their booster, or have not had the full course of the vaccine.

Highest rates

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “As Sefton is seeing some of the highest rates of COVID-19 infections in the country, it is vital that we get boosted to get protected.”

“Even if you have recently had COVID-19, you still need to get your booster jab. The vaccine is designed to give you stronger immunity than having the illness.”

Book now

If you are eligible for your booster jab, you can call 119 or visit the NHS website to book an appointment or find a walk-in vaccination site that is offering booster jabs at www.nhs.uk/covid-booster.

Booster jabs are also available from local vaccination sites in Sefton, which are taking bookings by telephone for anyone eligible. People can contact the local vaccination sites to get booked in:

• Seaforth Village Surgery, 20 Seaforth Rd, L21 3TA: call 07979 938 229
• Netherton Health Centre, Magdalen Square, L30 5SP: call 0151 247 6413
• Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 44-46 Hoghton Street, PR9 0PQ: call 01704 395830

People can also find out more about local vaccination sites in Sefton by visiting: www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk or www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk.

After all the indulgence of the festive season, together with Sefton Council we’re encouraging you to get the New Year off to the right start by taking better control of your health.

We’re reminding you about the number of great resources available to you if you are looking to make positive changes to your lifestyle.

Small changes

Living Well Sefton enables people to make small changes to their lives that can have a big impact on their wellbeing. It offers individual and group support around a broad range of issues, from eating better and being more active, to managing debt.

All Sefton residents are eligible and can self-refer via the website or by calling 0300 323 0181.

Right foot

Dr Rob Caudwell, local GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “January can be a good time to make some real changes which can improve your physical and mental health, such as taking a break from drinking.

“Persistent alcohol misuse can lead to heart disease, stroke, liver disease and liver cancer among other things.

“I would encourage you to take part in Dry January and start your New Year off on the right foot.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic harmful drinking has risen significantly, consequently impacting on people, communities, and services.

App

The Lower My Drinking app, which is free to download for anyone living or working in Sefton, gives advice and uses scientifically proven tools to reduce drinking to the recommended limit of 14 units a week or less.

It will help you set a drinking goal, and achieve it by:

• Tracking progress towards an individual drinking goal
• Recognising all the gains to be made by cutting down
• Focusing on what is really motivating to reduce drinking
• Sees how an individual’s drinking compares to the rest of the population

Quitting smoking

Dr Pete Chamberlain, local GP and chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, added: “Another good change to make this new year is to give up smoking.

“Quitting smoking has some real health benefits including reducing your chance of having a stroke and developing heart disease, as well as making you less likely to get cancer.”

For tips and guidance about drinking less and a range of lifestyle advice, visit the Better Health website.

Sefton Council’s Smokefree Sefton service can also support people that are trying to stop smoking.

The programme provides free behavioural support, combined with access to licenced medications to help you stop smoking.

For more information on Smokefree Sefton visit the website. Or telephone 0300 100 1000

Managing a healthy weight

Sefton Council’s Active Sefton team is offering personalised support with managing a healthy weight and exploring good nutrition alongside free sessions to keep active. Anyone interested can contact the team on 0151 934 2352.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Sefton Council’s Public Health team works to protect and improve health for local residents and provides advice on physical, mental and emotional health issues at www.sefton.gov.uk/public-health.

“New year is a good time for all of us to make changes in our lives but this year we all need to make sure that we remember to say COVID-safe while taking up any new activities.”

Gemma Boardman, Living Well Sefton programme manager, added: “Our Living Well Sefton mentors are always on hand to support you with your personal wellbeing goals, whether that’s to share expertise and advice or simply encourage and empower you to make positive changes throughout 2022.”