National picture

• Over the last few weeks, covid case rates been increasing nationally, and this trend has continued over the last 7 days (with an increase of 11%).
• However, the good news is that this has not translated into an increase in hospital admissions which have fallen again this week (by 12%).
• There is increasing evidence that boosters are having a major effect in boosting immunity in older age groups and preventing hospitalisations (see below).

What's happening in West Lancs?

• Locally, covid cases are still high but have seen a decrease of 2.5% over the last 7 days.  A total of 424 people tested positive for covid over the last 7 days.

• Patients admitted to hospital in West Lancs because of covid fell by 28% (up to Nov 14^th)

• See the situation in your postcode here.

A good proportion of the West Lancs population is now vaccinated but it is still slightly below the national rate:

• First dose 83% (compared to 88% of UK)
• Second dose 76% (compared to 80% of UK)

See below for how this varies between age groups:

The UKHSA has announced that booster jabs are 93% effective at stopping people catching Covid. 

• This is significant as the data shows that the third vaccine dose is not just acting as a ‘top-up’ — but is completing the course, and offering immunity that two jabs alone can't reach.
• This is already reducing hospitalisations in older groups with infection rates in the 70+ age group halving over the last 3 weeks – falling much faster than in younger ages.
• This is breaking the link between case numbers and those needing hospital treatment – which is good news for NHS pressure and could reduce the need for wider restrictions going forward.
• The graph below shows how vaccine effectiveness improves after one, two and three doses.  
• For those who had AstraZeneca for their first and second doses, having a Pfizer third dose boosts immunity much higher than the second dose was able to achieve.

First or second doses

Everyone over 12 is now eligible for a covid vaccine

• Most children aged 12 to 15 are currently only being offered a 1st dose.
• 16 and 17-year-olds can now book a second jabs (having previously only been offered one jab)
• People aged 18 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of a vaccine.

To book your jab:

• for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy, book here
• to get vaccinated without needing an appointment, find a walk-in vaccination site here
• wait to be contacted by your GP surgery and book your appointments with them
• Most 12-15 year olds will get their jab at school

Booster doses

Boosters have been extended to the 40-49 age group this week.

The eligible groups are now:

• those aged 40 and over
• those aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19
• frontline health and social care workers of any age

You can book your booster here

Please note:  you can BOOK your booster jab from 5 months after your second jab, but you can't HAVE the booster jab until 6 months after your second jab.

Can you help us get the word out?

We are working with West Lancashire Borough Council to get accurate information into the heart of communities and would be grateful if you could pass this on to your networks.

Please join in these efforts by cascading these messages on to your work colleagues, friends and families using the share buttons below: