The latest national data for vaccines up to Sunday 18 July shows 996,235 people in Kent and Medway are now double vaccinated and 1,266,043 more have had their first jab. That’s 2,262,278 vaccines in total.
Our very latest internal data shows we have now vaccinated over 270,000 people with 66% of all adults over 18 now fully vaccinated and 82% have had at least one dose. 60% of people aged 18-29 have now had a first dose.
As the vaccination programme moves forward we are continuing to encourage younger people to get vaccinated. Everyone over 18 can now get the vaccine and anyone within 3 months of their 18th birthday can also get vaccinated. Booked appointments are available through the national booking services by calling 119 or booking online. Plus walk-in options will continue through the summer.
Pop-up clinics continuing
Our vaccination team at the Open Golf championship in Sandwich vaccinated 1,635 people; including many younger people working at and visiting the Open.
We also have a mobile vaccination team taking a bus out to areas with lower uptake and events such as FreeWheelin FEASTtival at Mote Park Maidstone this weekend.
All our pop-up clinics and sites where you can walk-in with no need to book are listed on a handy Walk-in vaccines Google map that is updated constantly.
All second doses from 8 weeks
Everyone aged 18 and over is now being advised to get their second dose 8 weeks after the first. This has reduced from 12 weeks, but please do not visit walk-in clinics for second doses unless you have reached the 8 week gap.
Advice to pregnant women
The risk of serious illness from a Covid-19 infection is higher for pregnant women than those of the same age who are not pregnant. We would encourage all pregnant women to come forward for vaccination. Pfizer is the vaccine offered to pregnant women.
The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) have this week updated their guidance about the vaccine and pregnancy. On their website you can find questions and answers and links to more information to help pregnant women make informed decisions about vaccination.
RCOG highlight that robust real-world data from the United States – where over 130,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated mainly with mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna – have not raised any safety concerns.
New JCVI advice on vaccinating highest risk 12-18 year olds
Please note: currently in Kent and Medway vaccination is only available to people aged 18 and over. We are developing local services to meet this new advice from the JCVI. Please do not visit walk-in vaccination clinics unless you are 18 or over. 17 year olds approaching their 18th birthday may have received an invitation to book but should book their first jab for a date on or after their 18th birthday.
From 19 July the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is now advising that children at increased risk of serious Covid-19 disease are offered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This includes children aged 12 to 15 with severe neurodisabilities, Down’s syndrome, immunosuppression and multiple or severe learning disabilities.
The JCVI also recommends that children and young people aged 12 to 17 who live with an immunosuppressed person should be offered the vaccine.
The JCVI is not currently advising routine vaccination of children outside of these groups, based on the current evidence.
Read more about the JCVI advice here.
Abuse towards our vaccine teams is not acceptable
We are saddened to see rising levels of abusive reactions towards our vaccine teams. This has included from some protestors obstructing vaccine centres and intimidating both staff and people coming to get vaccinated. We have also seen some frankly vile replies to invitations to be vaccinated from people who have chosen not to have it. Our accountable officer and clinical chair have published a statement on this unacceptable abuse. We would appreciate support for these comments through social media and other channels. Share and comment on Facebook
Future updates
We will be publishing future versions of this update as and when there are significant announcements to make, rather than on a fixed schedule. We will continue to provide regular updates on clinics through social media and keep the main vaccination pages up-to-date with clinic information.