More need to get jab as third Covid wave ‘likely’
Health chief urges those who refused vaccine to think again
ATHIRD wave of Covid-19 is a case of “when, not if”, Birmingham’s public health director has warned.
Dr Justin Varney gave an update on the city’s response to the pandemic to the city council’s Cabinet meeting this week.
Despite a reduction in case rates to just under 30 per 100,000 in Birmingham, Dr Varney said a third wave was “likely” and encouraged all to get the vaccine, including those who had previously turned it down.
Just under 90 per cent of 80-yearolds have had their first dose of the vaccine and the “majority” of priority groups are heading towards the same proportion.
The first nine priority groups cover residents and staff in care homes, older people, frontline health and social care workers, anyone aged 50 and over, and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.
Dr Varney said: “It is important to remind people that the third wave is likely. It is more when rather than if and vaccination remains your best chance of not ending up in hospital and not dying when that third wave arrives. It is really important anyone who is eligible in the nine priority groups – book an appointment.
“If you haven’t had your first dose yet and you have changed your mind – no shame, no blame. Pick up the phone or go on the NHS website and book that appointment. The NHS is really keen to vaccinate you.”
He said more than 70 per cent of over 80-year-olds who had the first dose have now had a second dose. He said: “We will start to see similar performance moving through the priority groups over the weeks and months as more and more people reach the 12-week point of their second dose and complete their protection against the Covid virus.”
He also encouraged members of the public to keep carrying out rapid lateral flow tests, whether or not they have had the vaccine.
The tests are used for detecting the virus in people who are not showing symptoms but are infectious, as opposed to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests used where people are showing symptoms.
He said: “We are encouraging all adults in the city to do tests a week.
“You can order those kits online, through the NHS or Government website and also collect them from over 200 pharmacies in Birmingham.
“Or you can collect them from rapid lateral flow testing sites across the city. The box of a month’s supply is about the size of a box of Milk Tray so it’s really easy to slip in your shopping.”
If you haven’t had your first dose yet and you have changed your mind – no shame, no blame
Dr Justin Varney