Posted on Monday 13th December 2021
Health chiefs in Staffordshire are urging people to get vaccinated and get boosted after the Government announced changes to vaccine eligibility to help combat the spread of the Omicron variant.
More cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 are being confirmed daily. Over the weekend, the Prime Minister announced that anybody aged 30 or over can now book their Covid-19 booster two months after their second dose of the vaccine. This will be extended to over 18s from Wednesday 15 December.
Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, Dr Johnny McMahon, said:
“The emergence of the Omicron variant is extremely concerning, and we must do all we can to minimise the threat it poses to our communities and way of life. Getting vaccinated and getting boosted is the most important step people can take to protect themselves and others, so whatever vaccine you are currently eligible for, please don’t hesitate to get it and get protected.”
The Government has also announced new restrictions and guidance to help curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
These include:
- Face coverings are compulsory in most public indoor settings
- Everybody who can work from home should do so
- People over 18 will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to get into certain venues and events from Wednesday 15 December
- From Tuesday 14 December, all fully vaccinated contacts of all Covid cases should take lateral flow device tests for seven days and should isolate and get a PCR test if they develop symptoms or test positive. Unvaccinated adult contacts of all Covid cases must isolate for ten days
- Lateral flow tests should be used before people enter high-risk settings such as crowded places
Director for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, Dr Richard Harling, said:
“I understand that the new national restrictions being imposed will be a concern for people, particularly so close to Christmas. However, these are important measures to help ensure our communities and NHS don’t become overwhelmed during the winter, which would put even more people in Staffordshire at risk.
“Everybody can play their part by sticking to the rules and guidance, and most importantly, getting their vaccine or booster as soon as possible.”
More information on the latest rules can be found at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Vaccines and booster jabs can be booked at: www.nhs.uk/coronavirusvaccine