COVID-19 in Lewisham 23 September update

There has been a little break since my last blog but I wanted to write this week to update you on a number of important changes introduced recently in relation to COVID-19 vaccination.

These changes are part of the national COVID-19 response this autumn, in preparation for the winter:

• The NHS is offering a booster vaccine dose to people most at risk from COVID-19 who have already had two doses of the vaccine, and
• Children and young people aged 12 to 15 are now able to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

So what do these changes mean for Lewisham residents?

COVID-19 booster vaccine

We now know that protection given by COVID-19 vaccination decreases over time. To maintain high levels of protection through the coming winter months, those residents more at risk from serious disease who had their second vaccine jab at least six months ago will be offered a booster dose. Please wait to be contacted about when this will be available.

You will be contacted about your booster jab if you are:

• Living in a residential care home for older adults
• Aged 50 or over
• A frontline health and social care worker
• Aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put you at higher risk of severe COVID-19
• An adult household contact of an immunosuppressed person.

Children and young people aged 12 to 15

Following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, all children aged 12 to 15 years are being offered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

A recent survey suggested one in two children aged 10-15 years feel they have fallen behind in education, with two in three feeling under pressure to catch up. We know many of our children and young people in Lewisham have been impacted by school closures and isolating at home. Getting your child vaccinated is the best way to keep them safe and not miss school.

Children aged 12-15 years will be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by the NHS, following a thorough review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of the vaccine in this age group.

We are working with secondary school leaders and local NHS partners to deliver a vaccination programme in schools, to make it as easy as possible for 12 to 15 year olds to receive their vaccine this autumn.

If you are the parent, guardian or carer of a child aged 12 to 15 years, you will receive information about when the vaccination team is coming to their school, along with an invitation to an online information session where you can find out more and ask questions.

Your consent will be sought before vaccination starts. It’s really important that you have a conversation with your child about consent for the vaccine. The nurse will discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with your child at their appointment and will be able to answer any questions they may have.

Young people aged 16 or 17 will also be able to receive their vaccination when the NHS team comes to their school, but they will not need parental consent.

Do you have questions?

If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccination, either for yourself or a loved one, you can find out more in these ways:

• South-east London Vaccine Facts – The NHS in South East London has established a website with information at nhsselondonvaccinefacts.com.
• Lewisham vaccination helpline - You can book a free, impartial and confidential conversation with a Lewisham healthcare professional in one of over 200 languages. Book online or by calling 07828 499044.