People in Lincolnshire who are immunosuppressed are being strongly encouraged to come forwards for their third primary dose of the covid vaccination by the NHS in the county.

Being immunosuppressed means having a weakened immune system and this can be due either to certain diseases or conditions, such as some cancers, AIDS, and certain genetic disorders, or as a result of receiving certain medicines or treatments like anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and stem cell or organ transplant.

Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS Lincolnshire CCG said: "If someone is immunosuppressed it means they have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. In the case of covid, it also means they may not mount a full immune response to a primary covid vaccination, and this is why we are asking immunosuppressed people to come back for a third primary vaccination."

Some studies have suggested that immunosuppressed people may benefit from a third primary dose of the covid vaccination, due to the increased immune responses this can bring.

Rebecca continued: "So the advice for immunosuppressed people is to have a third primary dose of the covid vaccination, to give them the maximum possible protection.

"If you are immunosuppressed and on regular/stable medication and you have a letter confirming this from either your GP or your hospital consultant, you can get your third primary vaccination as a walk-in at either of our two Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston, or at the Lincolnshire Showground.

"You will not be able to pre-book this appointment. Please remember to bring your letter of eligibility with you when you attend our vaccine centres."

"Please also remember - this third primary dose for immunosuppressed people should be given ideally at least eight weeks after the second dose.

"It's also important to bear in mind current or planned immunosuppressive therapies – if you are in any doubt and/or on a cyclical type of treatment – for example if you are receiving radiotherapy – you first need to discuss with your GP or hospital consultant."

The Green Book, which is published by the government and has the latest information on vaccines and vaccine procedures, includes a chapter on covid and outlines criteria for eligibility for a third primary dose of the covid vaccination.

Rebecca concluded: "This may help some people to understand whether they are eligible for a third primary dose or not. Of particular help might be the table on p21 of chapter 14a that outlines criteria for a third primary dose, and this table will be available as part of this press release on the NHS Lincolnshire CCG website. Having said that, I would again strongly encourage you to speak with your GP or hospital consultant."

The complete Green Book, Chapter 14a is available here.

Booster vaccinations are not be available on a walk-in basis and patients must have a confirmed appointment before attending our vaccination centres.

There are walk-in opportunities available to people aged 16 and over on a 'first come, first served' basis for first and second vaccinations as follows (people aged 16 and 17 only require one covid vaccination):

The Table Tennis Club, Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins, first and second doses (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance and vaccine availability), Sunday – Friday.