COVID-19 in Lewisham - 19 March update
More and more people across Lewisham are coming forward for their COVID-19 vaccination. Each day as more people are vaccinated in Lewisham, we reduce the risk the virus poses to ourselves, our loved ones and the most vulnerable in our community.
Two more pharmacies – Lewis Grove Pharmacy, Lewisham and New Cross Pharmacy at the Waldron Health Centre – now have vaccination clinics with appointments available to book.
Visit the Lewis Grove Pharmacy website for more information about the pharmacy.
Visit the NHS website for more information about the New Cross Pharmacy.
If you’re aged 50 and over, an eligible frontline health or social care worker, a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19, have a learning disability, are clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) or clinically vulnerable (moderate risk); you can now book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment on the NHS website or by calling 119, free of charge.
Across Lewisham, we’re looking for venues to host pop-up clinics to make it easier for all communities to get the COVID-19 vaccination, and we’re delighted that the New Testament Church of God in Lee will be opening its doors to people of all faiths or non, to book a vaccination appointment next Saturday (27 March).
Lewisham residents see getting the COVID-19 vaccination as a ‘civic duty’
Over 1,800 people responded to the Council’s recent survey on willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccination, and the insights are invaluable in helping the local NHS and Lewisham Council to build confidence in the vaccination through community engagement.
The majority of respondents recognise that getting the COVID-19 vaccination is a social responsibility to protect the whole borough’s public health – a civic duty to help look after everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
Everyone is at risk from coronavirus, but some people are more likely to catch the virus or get seriously ill if they do. Frontline workers, those who work in health or social care, are at much higher risk of repeated exposure to infection and of passing it on to those they care for who may be especially vulnerable. For anyone, catching COVID-19 can be serious and may lead to long term complications such as long COVID.
Many who work in health and social care have been more affected by COVID-19, including those of Black, Asian or minority ethnic heritage. The pandemic has exposed health inequalities that are avoidable and unfair and in Lewisham we’re working hard to better understand this issue and address it.
Across Lewisham, our priority is to build confidence in the vaccination and to provide opportunities for everyone to learn more about the risks of COVID-19, the health inequalities that increase this risk for some, and answer questions about the issues that are worrying residents.
If you or anyone you know has questions please take the opportunity to find out more from a health professional. Next Thursday 25 March at 6–7pm, I’m hosting a free online information session open to Lewisham residents and anyone with questions, particularly those from Black African and Black Caribbean communities. I’ll be joined by Dr Chris Ferdinand, Dr Funmi Bajomo and Dr Chi-Chi Ekhator who are local GPs and Nina Ndubuisi who is one of Lewisham’s COVID-19 Community Champions. Sign up to join the COVID-19 vaccine webinar or take part in a live Twitter Q&A straight after.
Thousands get a rapid test
With the return to schools, we’ve seen a leap in the number of people without symptoms getting a rapid COVID-19 test. Twice-weekly testing is an important part of the road to recovery as we slowly start to ease the restrictions. For anyone regularly leaving the home, rapid testing identifies those who might have COVID-19 without symptoms and will be spreading the virus without realising.
Getting a rapid test in Lewisham has never been so easy. You can book an appointment or walk-in at rapid test centres at Civic Suite, Catford; The Green Man, Downham; and Ignition Brewery at the Sydenham Centre. Appointments need to be booked in advance at Deptford Lounge.
Families, childcare and support bubbles of nursery, primary, secondary and college-age children and young people can now access twice-weekly rapid testing using lateral flow tests. Rapid testing will continue to be an important tool going forward as national restrictions are eased. Find out how you can access this rapid COVID-19 testing.