Hospitals, GPs and pharmacies in North West London are responding to the urgent need to offer all adults the Covid booster vaccine following the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
It is clear that two doses of vaccine does not prevent spread of Omicron as well as it does for the other variants. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccines will not continue to reduce severe disease significantly and there is increasing confidence that the booster vaccines provides a very good level of protection.
People who have so far not been vaccinated or have only had one dose are also being urged to come forward so that they and their loved ones are protected.
In order to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, the local NHS, in partnership with local councils, is providing thousands of additional vaccination appointments. For information on where to get your jab, how to book and where walk-in jabs may be available, go to www.nwlondonccg.nhs.uk/coronavirus/vaccine-centres . Please note that the best way to guarantee your jab is to book in advance, as walk-in vaccination will depend on availability.
GPs are now vaccinating patients 12 hours a day, as are local pharmacy vaccination sites. Hospitals, local councils, mental health and community services are all supporting the vaccination programme.
Large-scale vaccination events are planned at Chelsea FC on Saturday 18 December and at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 19 December. Which you can book here:
Chelsea booking - bit.ly/CFC-Vaccine-Centre-18-Dec
Wembley booking - bit.ly/WS-Vaccine-Centre-19-Dec
To accommodate this huge push to vaccinate the adult population of North West London, non-urgent medical appointments may be rescheduled as we prioritise vaccination but we will continue to see people who have, or may have, time-critical needs or conditions, including cancer. You will hear directly from your GP or hospital if your appointment has had to be postponed. A&E departments and urgent treatment centres will run as normal.
In order to protect patients and NHS staff, social distancing and face coverings continue to be essential in all NHS buildings and vaccination centres.
Dr Genevieve Small, Interim Medical Director for North West London, said:
“Every adult now needs to get a Covid-19 booster to protect against the new variant. Non-urgent medical appointments may be rescheduled as we prioritise vaccination, urgent and emergency care and cancer care. Patients who need medical care should continue to contact their GP in the first instance or use the 111 service, preferably online. As ever, in a medical emergency you should dial 999.”
More information about boosters, vaccinations and winter services can be found here on our winter services page.
ENDS