Suffolk and North Essex outperforming other Integrated Care Board areas in Covid-19 autumn booster rollout

An area of Suffolk has administered the most Covid-19 booster vaccines in the country since the autumn vaccination programme was launched.

Figures published for the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) show 165,000 vaccines have been given out since the Covid booster vaccination project started in September, including 25,000 in the last week.

The impressive figure is more than any other ICB area in the country, and has been achieved by making it as easy as possible for people to get protected.

Staff and volunteers continue to work around the clock, as appointments remain available to book at venues across the area.

Lisa Nobes, the ICB's Director of Nursing, said: "The very real risks presented by Covid are obviously still at the forefront of people’s minds, with so many taking up the offer of protection for over the coming winter months.

“We’re in a critical time for the NHS with ever-increasing Covid numbers both in our communities and hospital admissions, as well as the ongoing effects of Long-Covid, so it is certainly encouraging that so many people have taken action to best protect their health.

“It’s wholly understandable that some people are simply fed-up with Covid, with the country having endured an incredibly challenging two years.

"To those people I say, please don’t give up now. Your NHS and your community needs you to do your bit and prevent the spread of Covid by getting your vaccination when it’s your turn.”

The autumn booster is available to those aged 65 and over, frontline health and social care workers, carers, people who are in a clinical risk group, pregnant and those who live with someone with a weakened immune system.