Over half a million first vaccine doses given
Over 600,000 people in Kent and Medway have now had their first jab.
The national booking service is available to everyone aged 55 and over. It allows you to book from a range of 4 large vaccine centres and 10 pharmacies across Kent and Medway. The centres all use the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Book online or call 119.
We are also appealing to those frontline social care staff who have not yet had a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to book now. You can now use the national booking service online or call 119. You’ll just need to bring your work ID to your appointment.
People aged 56 to 59 invited for Covid-19 jab
People aged 55 to 59 are now being invited to book a life-saving Covid jab this week as the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history, continues to gather pace.
The latest invites will also include some text messaging as the NHS rolls out a trial of text-based invitations. You can trust your text message is genuine if it comes from ‘NHSvaccine’, includes a link to the NHS.uk website and gives you the option of phoning 119.
The extension to younger groups comes after more than 8 in 10 people aged 65 to 69 took up the offer of a jab.
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What you need to know about returning to school
Schools have remained open to children of key workers and vulnerable children throughout the pandemic.
However, following government guidance schools are re-opening to all pupils this week and staff, parents and pupils can feel reassured by current evidence that shows the transmission of Covid-19 in schools remains low.
Primary schools will re-open first but secondary schools are allowed to stagger their return allowing for testing to be carried out.
Secondary students will be tested 3 times in the first 2 weeks and then will be given two rapid tests to use each week at home.
Suicide Prevention Strategy consultation
Approximately one-third of suicides occur in individuals known to secondary mental health services, meaning that two-thirds are not known.
We also know that many social issues (money, debt, employment, relationship breakdown, abuse, housing) can all impact an individual’s suicide risk.
The suicide prevention programme has a wide range of elements, some looking at improving the quality and safety within services, but many attempting to address the wider issues that contribute to suicide risk.
A public consultation on a multi-agency Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Strategy is open until Thursday, 18th March.
Release the Pressure is a free and confidential helpline available 24/7 to anyone in Kent and Medway. Emotional support is available via text or phone.
Read the full bulletin at >> http://bit.ly/3qvZiuH
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
