Last chance for spring COVID-19 vaccination

News - 3 June 2024

The NHS is urging anyone eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccination to come forward now.

The spring COVID-19 vaccination roll out started in April, with adults aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults and those aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system invited to receive a vaccine.

Following advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), those eligible for a vaccine have until Saturday 29 June to book an appointment, with the last spring vaccinations on offer the following day on Sunday 30 June. Appointments can be booked via the National Booking System, the NHS App or by calling 119.

Pop-up clinics have also been set up across the Black Country, offering spring COVID-19 vaccines to those eligible on a walk-in basis. The clinics will be running until the end of June, with no appointment necessary. More dates and locations can be found on the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board’s (ICBs) website.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “With people starting to finally feel the spring and see some sunshine, it’s easy to forget that, despite the winter being behind us, many people remain vulnerable to COVID-19.

“Having the spring COVID-19 vaccine helps those most risk, including the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, to maintain a high level of protection and helps prevent them from becoming seriously ill or needing treatment in hospital.

“If you are eligible and are yet to come forward for a vaccine, it’s not too late. However, there are only a few weeks left to book an appointment or visit one our pop-up centres, as the offer ends on Sunday 30 June.”

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Whooping cough vaccine reminder

Pregnant women in the Black Country are being reminded to come forward for a whooping cough vaccination, as cases continue to rise.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs and airways. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, especially in babies and young children.

Initial symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, including a runny nose and a mild fever. After a week, the infection can develop into coughing bouts that are often worse at night. Some babies and adults may make a ‘whoop’ sound and have difficulty breathing after coughing.

Mums-to-be are offered the vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy so their baby has protection against whooping cough until they are old enough to have the routine immunisation at 8 weeks old.

All babies are given three doses of the 6-in-1 jab combination vaccine at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age to protect against whooping cough and other serious diseases, such as diphtheria and polio, with a pre-school booster offered at 3 years 4 months. It's best to have them on time, but children can still have the 6-in-1 vaccine up to the age of 10.

The NHS has created a video with Rickell Bailey, the midwifery led unit manager at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, to explain why the whooping cough vaccine is important. You can watch the video on YouTube. Liz Punter, Midwife at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, also explains why pregnant women should come forward for a vaccine. She said: “The only way you can help protect your baby from getting whooping cough in their first few weeks after birth is by having the whooping cough vaccination yourself while you are pregnant.

“The best time to get vaccinated to protect your baby from whooping cough is from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. This maximises the chance that your baby will be protected from birth, through the transfer of your antibodies before they are born.
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Order repeat prescriptions ahead of Easter

People in the Black Country are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions they may need ahead of the Easter bank holiday (Friday 29 March – Monday 1 April).

GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Easter bank holiday weekend, making it more challenging for people to access medicines at short notice.

Every bank holiday, NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the Easter break puts added pressure on already busy services.
To avoid this and to ensure health is not put at any unnecessary risk, people are being asked to submit any repeat prescriptions that are due for renewal by Friday 22 March at the latest to make sure there is enough time for them to be processed and dispensed.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:
“If you take any medicine on a regular basis to help manage a long-term condition such as high
blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma, now is the time to check that you have enough medication
left to last you over the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend.

“By ensuring you have your required supply of prescribed medication, you save yourself the
worry of possibly not getting what you need on time and being caught short over the bank
holiday when your GP practice will be closed.

“The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.”

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Important Prescription Information

The way to order repeat prescriptions is changing.

Notification to patients of a change in service for repeat prescriptions - please read carefully. (As this applies to specific GP venues as listed below).

From 31 May 2024, you will no longer be able to order repeat prescriptions using the Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) telephone service.

Your GP practice will be taking over the responsibility for your repeat prescriptions.

You can order your repeat prescriptions using one of these methods:
• on the NHS App
• by logging into your NHS account at www.nhs.uk
• by requesting a repeat prescription on your GP practice website
• by contacting your GP practice after 10am, to avoid the morning demand for appointments, for support with your repeat prescription request.

If you are unable to use any of these methods, please contact a member of staff at your GP practice who will be able to discuss your options.

The POD service is currently available to patients registered at the following Modality GP practices in Walsall:
• Collingwood Practice
• Forrester Street Practice
• Harden Health Centre / Blakenall Practice
• Keys Family Practice
• Kingfisher Berkley Practice
• Modality Darlaston Practice
• New Invention Practice
• Pleck Medical Centre.
• St John's Medical Centre.

NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board have provided a set of frequently asked questions explaining why the service is closing, what alternative options you have, and where you can go if you have any questions or concerns.

For more information about the way to order repeat prescriptions, please visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board's website.
Advice and Information