Within hours of students receiving a text to get their booster jabs at the University of Lincoln Health Service and Portland Street Medical Centre, both sites were fully booked.
Photo: Madison Bown
This is unsurprising, with the next nearest Covid vaccination site being the Lincolnshire Showground – more than 5 miles away. The majority of the student community don’t drive which leaves access to their first, second, or booster doses challenging.
Dr Kaval J Patel, Clinical Lead in Lincoln and a GP at Portland Medical Practice and Newark Road Surgery, says the city will organise transport to take students to and from the Lincolnshire Showground.
This comes after the successful free shuttlebus service to and from the vaccination centre which ran from October 25- November 5.
Dr Patel also said more appointment slots are being made in order to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
He said: ‘’In terms of the University Health Service, Portland street and Newark Road, we have started a massive drive in the booster campaign and we have diverted more staff in order to provide more boosters, essentially expanding the workforce.’’
Dr Patel reiterated that getting vaccinated is now more important than ever, given the rapid rise in Omicron cases. He said: ‘’Omicron is more transmittable and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Cases are rising every day and we can’t stress enough the booster is absolutely required.
‘’It’s really important that everyone gets their booster wherever they can, whether that be at the Showground, or the Medical Centre or even if you’re travelling back home and there’s an opportunity for you to get the boosters there. Please, please get that booster done.’’
Book your vaccine at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by contacting your local GP practice.