Health

Once again, Santa Claus has stopped off in Sefton during his busy  pre-Christmas schedule.  This time he was getting his booster jab to make sure he’s fully protected.

As the final countdown to Christmas begins, staff at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Sefton were surprised by the arrival of a very jolly patient in a red suit, looking to get a jab.

‘Santa Claus’ visited Netherton Health Centre, where he had pre-booked an appointment to get his COVID-19 booster vaccination, under the alias Ron Clayton.

Snowed under

Arriving, unusually, by van rather than by sleigh, Santa explained that his reindeer were busy getting ready for their Christmas duties, but that even though he was ‘snowed under’ with festive preparations he knew it was very important to make time to get vaccinated as soon as he was eligible.

Santa said: “I’ve got a busy few days ahead, flying around to deliver presents to children all over Sefton and beyond! I wanted my long journey to be made as safe as possible for myself and everyone I visit, by getting my booster jab for extra protection.

“Mrs Claus and all of my elves have also had their booster jabs, to keep themselves and everyone else safe this Christmas. Some of the elves are over 100 years old, so obviously they had their vaccinations quite early on, but it’s never too late to come forward for your jab if you’ve not got round to it yet!”

After getting his vaccine, Santa declared that all the staff at Netherton Health Centre were definitely on his ‘nice’ list, before he waved goodbye to the team and set off back to the North Pole.

St. Nick himself

Jenny Macoy, site manager at the COVID-19 vaccination centre at Netherton Health Centre, said: “We were so glad to see St. Nick himself coming in to get his jab, even though he must have a busy schedule at the moment! Protecting yourself and others should definitely be top of everyone’s Christmas list this year.”

“The booster vaccine is important because helps improve the protection you have from your first two doses of the vaccine and helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Get yours booked in to stay safe this festive season.”

You can watch Santa’s visit here. 

The NHS is now offering all adults the opportunity to book their booster jab by the end of the year. Those now eligible to book are people who had their second COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago, and are:

• Aged 18 and over
• Aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk from COVID-19
• Frontline health or social care workers

Eligible

If, like Santa, 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, here: 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. 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 (phone lines open Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm)

Find out more about local vaccination sites in Sefton by visiting: www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk or www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk.

Last year, Santa visited one of Sefton’s testing centres for a rapid test to make sure he wasn’t passing on COVID without realising.

Our communities are once again being asked to step up to protect themselves and each other, and help to keep our fantastic front-line health and care services running this winter.  As Directors of Public Health, we are supportive of measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and in particular, the new variant, Omicron.

We knew that there was always a risk of new variants, and it is clear that Omicron is spreading very rapidly. The UK is now at COVID-19 alert Level 4 because we have extremely high transmission and rising rates of Omicron. We especially want to keep those who are most vulnerable in our local communities safe and prevent more people going into hospital and dying.

Everyone is being asked to get vaccinated and get their booster dose as soon as possible.  Demand for vaccination will be high and vaccination sites will be very busy, so please book ahead wherever possible, and be patient if you are queuing for your vaccine.

If you do experience symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, new continuous cough or loss/change of taste or smell), PCR tests can be booked by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119. If your test is positive, you must follow the guidance including self-isolating immediately.

It is also recommended you take lateral flow tests twice a week and also in advance of any social gathering/event. If you are notified that you are a close contact of a positive case of COVID-19 and you are fully vaccinated, you will be asked to do daily lateral flow testing for 7 days to check you are and remain negative. Children under 5 years old do not need a test and will not need to self-isolate. If you have not had two doses of the vaccine, you will need to isolate for the full 10 days.

Face coverings are required in most indoor public settings, except for pubs and restaurants or unless you are exempt. Office workers who can work from home should do so and from Wednesday (15 December), you will be required to show proof of full vaccination status, or a negative test in the last 48 hours, to enter certain venues such as nightclubs or major sporting events.

This is a time where we as a community need to come together and support each other. We need to continue to be kind to ourselves and others and carry on with the same steely determination to do the right thing that has kept us going since the beginning.

Building up your personal resilience is so important in times like this. Cheshire and Merseyside’s Kind to Your Mind campaign has plenty of resources to help you do just that. You can listen to podcasts, look at online therapies, download apps, and access helplines if you need them. There are plenty of options to suit you, all you need to do is visit www.kindtoyourmind.org

Masks, hand washing, social distancing and ventilation are all vital measures to mitigate this disease, but none more so than being vaccinated against it. That is the number one tool we have. If up until now you have not taken up your offer of the vaccine, please book your jab now. The same applies to your booster. They are safe, effective and millions upon millions of people across the country have benefited from it. Visit www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine to book now.

Stay safe,

Dr Matt Tyrer
Director of Public Health for Cheshire East

Ian Ashworth
Director of Public Health Cheshire West and Chester

Dr Ifeoma Onyia
Director of Public Health for Halton

Dr Sarah McNulty
Director of Public Health for Knowsley

Professor Matt Ashton
Director of Public Health for Liverpool

Margaret Jones
Director of Public Health for Sefton

Ruth du Plessis
Director of Public Health for St Helens

Thara Raj
Director of Public Health for Warrington

Julie Webster
Director of Public Health for Wirral

Although more of the Government’s new regulations in response to the Omicron variant come into force this week, Margaret Jones who is Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health, is saying her message is remaining largely unchanged.

Two jabs & booster

Margaret said: “Making sure you are fully vaccinated, which means jabs one and two and a booster, is still the best protection from the COVID-19 virus.

“Anyone who has not yet had their first or second jab can book them now at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination or by calling 119.

“And anyone aged over 30 or over can now go to www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination or call 119 to book their booster and make sure they are fully protected.”

Last night the  Prime Minister said booster jabs would be offered to everyone over 18 in England from this week,  and set a new target of giving boosters to all adults who want one by the end of the month. The NHS will prioritise those at greatest risk, so people are being asked to wait to be contacted by the NHS for their booster appointment.

Find a nearby walk-in vaccination and booster site.

Risk assessments

Mrs Jones added: “From today, the Government says that everyone who can do, should work from home, which has been Sefton Council’s message all along.

“Where people do have to go into work, risk assessments must have been carried out and protection measure put in place. And we all need to follow the safety measures and guidance such as wearing face coverings, not congregating in communal areas and not sitting at desks that are marked as not in use.

“All along we have been urging people to wear face coverings in busy spaces and on public transport and since Friday, the Government regulations mean face coverings are required in most indoor settings, including cinemas and theatres.

“Global research has shown masks provide the best non-medical form of protection. The help prevent us from catching the virus and help stop us passing it on, which helps make sure we’re not taking home any uninvited and potentially dangerous guests this Christmas.”

Same symptoms

Margaret continued: “Despite these new Government measures being introduced as a result of a new variant, the main symptoms we all need to watch out for are the same, a high temperature a persistent cough and a loss of taste or smell.

“Develop any of these and we need to book a PCR test straight away by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

“But even with no symptoms, we need to keep on using rapid home test kits, which are available from pharmacists or online, twice a week.  And if a rapid test shows a positive result don’t hesitate. Start isolating and book a PCR test.”

The other new measure coming into force this week is the requirement, from Wednesday (15^th December), for those aged 18 years or over to show proof of vaccination or a negative test in the last 48 hours. This applies to nightclubs and settings where large crowds gather and include unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees and any event with 10,000 or more attendees.

Consistent advice

Margaret added: “Once again, while this is a new requirement, our advice remains consistent and that is to exercise care and common sense when attending an event of any size.

“All of these measures are about protecting ourselves but also helping to stop us passing on the virus to others.

“We know that we can carry the COVID-19 virus even when vaccinated and without even feeling its effects, which means we can then pass it on to people around us, including our family and friends, who may be at high risk.

“Christmas, as we all know, is a time for giving. Let’s make it one to remember for all the right reasons.”

More information can be found at www.sefton.gov.uk/covid-19

This month the NHS in Sefton is celebrating the one year anniversary of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.

Launched nationally

The NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme launched nationally in hospital hubs on 8 December, with the vaccine starting to be offered locally in Sefton from Tuesday 15 December 2020. The very first vaccination in Sefton was given to 85-year-old Southport resident, Marilyn Cull, at Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing.

One year on from the programme launch, and over 486,000 doses of the vaccines have now been given across Sefton, starting with residents aged 80 and over as the first group to be eligible, right through to the 12–15-year old pupils currently being vaccinated in primary schools across the Borough.

Tireless efforts

Fiona Taylor, chief officer of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our vaccine programme teams, volunteers, GP practices and community pharmacies we have managed to get 207,000 people in Sefton vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines.”

“We are so proud of everyone who has contributed to the organisation and delivery of the vaccine programme in Sefton. We have teams that have worked long hours, volunteers from the local community giving up their time to support us, and many NHS staff who have come out of retirement to help us fight against the coronavirus and protect our communities.”

“We have achieved so much but the hard work is not yet over. Our vaccination teams are still delivering first and second doses of the vaccines to those who have not yet taken up the offer, as well as delivering third primary doses to those most at risk, and booster jabs to give added protection as people become eligible for them.”

Vaccination centres

National vaccination centres were set up in hospitals and other sites all over the UK to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first vaccination given on 8 December 2020 to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan in Coventry.

Local vaccination centres in Sefton were set up to help boost the roll-out of the vaccines in the borough. They were first run by groups of GP practices known as primary care networks, working together with NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, with vital support from a team of volunteers.

As the programme has developed the majority of Sefton’s local vaccination centres are now run by local pharmacies. Over the course of the year, vaccination sites have been in a variety of locations such as GP practices, town halls, community centres, pharmacies and more to help make the vaccines available to all communities in Sefton.

Needles

Dave Wilson, 67, from Maghull said: “My wife and I went to get our booster jab at Netherton Health Centre, and it was brilliant. From the minute we walked in, the staff were great and made us feel so welcome.”

“I am afraid of needles, but the staff make you feel like family and take away your fears. We would happily go back again. Thank you to everyone on the vaccination team at Netherton Health Centre, you do a great job which is very much appreciated.”

Roving teams

As well as fixed vaccination sites, the past year has seen ‘roving’ vaccination teams launching pop-up sites in different locations, such as Hugh Baird College in Bootle and Peel Ports in Seaforth, as well as visiting care homes right across the borough. Sefton has also had several visits from the ‘vaccination bus’ – a four wheeled mobile vaccine clinic that has travelled all over Merseyside during the course of the vaccination programme.

Visit YouTube to watch a video from NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, looking back over the past year of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Sefton, and meet some of the vaccination staff and volunteers. 

The NHS is encouraging anyone who is eligible but has not yet had their first or second dose, or booster jab, to come forward and book an appointment, by calling 119 or visiting the national booking service website: www.nhs.uk/CovidVaccine

To find out more about local vaccination sites in Sefton and how to book, visit the NHS South Sefton CCG website: www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk  or NHS Southport and Formby CCG website: www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk