Younger people and those in cohort 6 urged to come forwards for vaccination and help with county's final push

As the whole country, including Lincolnshire, waits for the remaining covid restrictions to be lifted next week, people who have not yet had their vaccination are being urged to come forwards, especially those who are at higher risk from covid due to their health conditions.

These people, who are part of the 'at risk' cohort 6, are aged between 16-65 years old and have underlying health conditions – of particular concern are those people who have chronic liver disease, serious mental illness, a learning disability or autism, or sickle cell disease*, that put them at a higher risk of serious disease or mortality.

Rebecca Neno, Deputy Chief Nurse, NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said: "I'm delighted that a huge number of Lincolnshire people have already come forwards for their first and second vaccinations, including many in cohort 6.

"For some people the risk of covid is greatly enhanced by an underlying health condition, which is why we are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to urge everyone aged 18 or over to get vaccinated, including those in cohort 6 who haven't come forwards for both vaccinations."

Cohort 6 also includes those eligible for a carer's allowance or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill, and residents in a long-term residential facility including those with learning disabilities.

To support the government's ambition to offer the vaccination to everyone aged 18 or over, the NHS in Lincolnshire continues to offer a range of pre-bookable and walk-in options for people across the county.

This week, it is running late night walk-ins at its two Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston, and the Lincolnshire Showground where it will offer vaccinations until 10pm on Thursday 15th July.

Rebecca continued: "As of today, Monday 12th July, 84% of Lincolnshire people in cohorts 1-12 have had their first covid vaccination (and 85.6% in cohorts 1-10 have had their second dose), which is fantastic.

"To reach 85% by Monday 19th July, we need to vaccination approximately 6,500 people, so we're doing literally everything we can to make this happen."

"The walk-ins have proved popular, as have the various pop-ups we've done across the county over recent weekends, and they will continue, along with the introduction of late night walk-ins until 10pm this Thursday evening at PRSA and the Lincolnshire Showground, to provide every opportunity for those still to get vaccinated."

To get vaccinated as a walk-in all you need to do is turn up, you don't even need an NHS number. Alternatively you can book an appointment via the National Booking System or by calling 119.

Rebecca added: "We really hope people will continue to come and see us to get vaccinated as we make this final push, particularly as getting vaccinated twice is the best way to maximise our protection from covid, find a way out of this pandemic, and maybe a return to being able to do some of the things we used to take for granted.

"We're keen to see people of any age (18 or over), particularly those who are younger or with underlying health conditions. If you're not sure about having the vaccination, come and talk to us, our teams will listen to your questions and concerns, and will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision."

• The risk groups identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) include:

· chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and severe asthma

· chronic heart disease (and vascular disease)

· chronic kidney disease

· chronic liver disease

· chronic neurological disease including epilepsy

· Down's syndrome

· severe and profound learning disability

· diabetes

· solid organ, bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients

· people with specific cancers

· immunosuppression due to disease or treatment

· asplenia and splenic dysfunction

· morbid obesity

· severe mental illness

• This week there will be walk-in opportunities available on a 'first come, first served' basis as follows:

PRSA MVC, Boston – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance), first and second doses, 8am-7pm seven days a week including late night walk-ins until 10pm on Thursday 15th July

Lincolnshire Showground MVC – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance), first and second doses, 8.15am-7pm seven days a week including late night walk-ins until 10pm on Thursday 15th July

John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough – offering Pfizer or AZ, first and second doses, 9am-3pm, Tuesday 13th July

Fenside Community Centre (PE21 8NL) – mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first doses, 9am-5pm, Tuesday 13th July

St Nicholas Hall, Skirbeck (PE21 0AA) – mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first doses, 9am-5pm, Wednesday 14th July

Greenyard, Marsh Lane (PE21 7RY) - mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first doses, 9am-5pm, Thursday 15th July

Springfields Events and Conference Centre, Spalding (PE12 6ET) – Pfizer and AZ walk-ins, first and second doses, 1-8pm, Friday 16th July

Boston Co-op pharmacy, Parkside (PE21 6PA) – Pfizer and AZ walk-ins, first and second doses, 9am-3.30pm Saturday 17th July

Storehouse, Skegness – offering AZ walk-ins, first and second doses, 8.30am-12.30pm Thursday 15th July, and Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 8.30am-4pm Saturday 17th July, and 8.30am-4pm Sunday 18th July

Marisco Medical Practice, Mablethorpe – offering AZ walk-ins, first and second doses, 9am – 12.30pm Saturday 17th July, and Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses 1pm–5pm Saturday 17th July

Hall Place, The Market, Spalding (opposite Savers) – offering Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 12-3pm, Saturday 17th July

Stamford - Lincolnshire CCG is also pleased to confirm that vaccinations are now available in Stamford, in the former VW garage opposite Morrisons. Appointments are available by calling 119 or via the national booking system.