The vaccine rollout to the more vulnerable and people at risk in North Lincolnshire has won national praise with the UK Heath Security Agency calling it outstanding.
While many people find it easy to visit their GP or a vaccination centre, for some members of the community this posed a challenge. The council and local NHS organisations recognised this and designed a programme to get 1st, 2nd and booster jabs direct to the most vulnerable.
This programme saw almost 4000 people get the vaccine who would not have had easy access to getting the jab.
This included groups like the homeless, shift workers and people with English as a second language. This is in addition to the amazing work GPs and the vaccination centres have done.
In total over 360,000 jabs have been administered in North Lincolnshire.
This success has been made possible by excellent joint working between North Lincolnshire Council, North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG).
More pop-up sessions are being planned. People can also get the vaccine with 1st, 2nd and booster jabs available through the national booking centre and walk-in sessions at the Ironstone Centre in Scunthorpe. For more details visit our website.
Vicky Page-Chestney, Clinical Supervisor COVID Vaccination Outreach Team and Lead Safety Trainer at NLaG, said:
“It’s important we make it as easy as possible for people to get the vaccine. We’ve received a great response from members of the public who’ve been able to have the vaccine at their residence, workplace, or on their doorstep. They have been truly grateful to be offered the extra support in getting protected.
“The vaccines, first, second and booster doses, continue to be available and we’re working hard to protect as many people as possible.”
Dr Satpal Shekhawat, Medical Director at NHS North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, added:
“More than 368,000 doses have been administered across North Lincolnshire since the vaccine rollout began almost 15 months ago – this is a fantastic achievement by everyone involved.
“We recognise that for some people, accessing vaccination venues is not as simple as it is for others. This can be because of a host of reasons such as immobility, mental health conditions, language barriers and shift patterns among a few.
“We have worked hard to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to receive the vaccination if they want it and we will continue to do this. As a local GP, and with winter pressures still extremely high across the NHS, I would still encourage people to come forward for their jab, whether that is a first dose, second dose, or the booster. The vaccine is saving lives every day.”
