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People urged to get the Covid vaccine urgently as hospital admissions soar
People in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who are due for a Covid vaccine are being urged to have it as a matter of urgency, as the number of people with Covid in Leicester’s hospitals has doubled since Christmas Day.
Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “Every known medical condition is made worse by Covid, yet we still have unvaccinated people in our communities.
"The majority of our hospital intensive care beds are taken by Covid patients. Over 75% are unvaccinated, some will not make it home. This is having a big impact on our colleagues and on patients waiting for cancer and cardiac surgery who require an intensive care bed to have their operation.
“Covid vaccination protects against severe illness, it is safe, it is effective. Getting your jab is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and others.”
Andy Williams, Chief Executive of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “I commend our frontline health and care staff for all they are doing to continue the fight against COVID, which has simply not gone away. If you are not vaccinated, COVID could cost your life, it could cause unbearable pain for your family, and your time in intensive care denies someone else the vital care they might need.”
There was a surge in vaccine uptake over Christmas week, which saw more than 60,000 people vaccinated in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland between 20 and 26 December.
On Christmas Day and Boxing Day more people had the vaccine in our area than anywhere else in the Midlands.
Despite this, there are still many people locally who are overdue for a vaccine dose. As of 29 December, almost 190,000 people were due to have their booster, which is essential for maximum protection against Omicron, which is now the dominant variant.
16% of over 18s still haven't had their first dose of the Covid vaccine
34% of those aged 16 to 17 haven't had their first dose
54% of those aged 12 to 15 haven't had their first dose
Andy Williams added: “I urge everyone to just get their vaccine – it’s not too late for even a first dose. It’s the best New Year’s resolution you could make, so if you’ve been putting it off for any reason, please get the vaccine now.”
There are plenty of vaccine clinics taking place over the New Year bank holiday, across LLR. Many of these are walk-in clinics so you don’t even need an appointment. Details of how to get the vaccine locally are available on the NHS website.