Posted on Thursday 23rd December 2021
Get tested before visiting loved ones and get your vaccine or booster is the message to people in Staffordshire this Christmas.
Government guidance advises people without symptoms of Covid-19 to take a rapid test before entering a period of risk, such as meeting people they do not live with or visiting crowded places. Anybody who tests positive or develops symptoms should isolate and book a PCR test.
With many families and friends set to visit each other on Christmas Day particularly, the importance of taking a rapid Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test to check for Covid-19 is being stressed by the County Council.
Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, Dr Johnny McMahon, said:
“Christmas Day and the festive season traditionally sees families come together and spend time with each other, with many often travelling home from further afield. While it’s fantastic that people are able to see friends and family this year, we must still acknowledge the risk of catching or passing Covid onto our loved ones. One of the best ways to avoid this is to take a rapid test prior to your visit to check you’re not unknowingly carrying the virus, particularly if you’ll be visiting somebody who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid.”
People eligible for their Covid-19 vaccine or booster jab are also being urged to take up the offer.
The NHS has been ‘ramping up’ vaccination efforts this month and has announced a series of walk-in clinics for the festive period to allow people to get jabbed during the holidays.
Director for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, Dr Richard Harling, said:
“Getting your vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from the serious health complications this virus can cause. Two doses and a booster vaccination has been shown to offer good protection from the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, so I’d urge everybody to use their downtime during the holidays to get whichever jab they are eligible for and get protected.”
Anybody aged 12 and over can get a Covid-19 vaccine and people aged 18 and over who had their second dose at least three months ago can now get a Covid-19 booster vaccine.
Vaccine appointments can be booked via www.nhs.uk/coronavirusvaccine and local walk-in clinic information can be found at www.twbstaffsandstoke.org.uk/coronavirus.
More information on national restrictions and advice can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.