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More on KentOnline
An MP wants everyone who is eligible to take up the Covid booster vaccination, and get their flu jab too.
Daily infections from the pandemic have more than doubled compared with last year.
The boosters are available from six months after a second injection for anyone over 50 and people over 16 with certain health conditions.
Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke, who got her first vaccination in March, said: "Booster jabs are so important to continue to prevent the spread of Covid-19. It is vital that all those eligible get their vaccine dose, booster and flu jab to protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS."
The injections against coronavirus can be booked online, without needing to speak to your doctor, and are also available at designated walk in centres.
Notifications are sent out weekly by the NHS, so it is normal that it might take up to a week after that six-month date from your last injection date to get notified or be able to book in.
You can do it direct with your NHS number through the NHS booster dose booking site
nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination
Local vaccination sites that are bookable are the Clockwork Pharmacy in Deal High Street and Dover Health Centre in Maison Dieu Road.
An extra vaccination site at Whitfield Village Hall has also been approved, following a campaign by Mrs Elphicke for a third local setting.
This is in addition to the large scale walk-in sites at Folca building in Sandgate Road, Folkestone, the Saga building at Westwood Cross and the Sea Cadets buildings in Vauxhall Road, Canterbury .
In addition, from this week young people in the 12–18 year-old groups will be able to book up for their Covid-19 vaccination directly on the national booking system as well.
This is on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination
Up to yesterday (Monday) a total 49,715 228 people in the UK got their first vaccinations and 45,561,445 got their second.
In the 24 hours up to yesterday 36,567 more people were infected with coronavirus compared with 15,715 in the 24 hours up to October 25, 2020.
A total 38 died in the country in the 24 hours up to yesterday compared with 250 exactly a year before.
It is believed that the vaccinations, introduced in the UK last December, have helped lower the death rate.
Meanwhile flu jabs are available at a wide range of places locally and are free for over-50s and certain other groups.
"Let's all get jabbed and look after each other."
The NHS has confirmed it is safe to have these and the Covid booster injection at the same time.
Mrs Elphicke said this was all to provide a protective ring around everyone in the community this winter.
She explained: “Many of us have been more vulnerable to colds and sniffles as we go out and about after being inside for so much of this year. So it is more important than ever to make sure that you get the flu jab.
"So let's all get jabbed and look after each other.”
The flu jab is free for those aged 50 or over and for others including pregnant women and frontline NHS and care workers.
It can be booked online or walk-in at pharmacies.
