Public Health Updates

Please see below a brief summary of some recent changes to the COVID-19 vaccination and testing guidance in the last week, along with information on extra vaccine capacity this weekend and online events-

COVID-19 Booster Vaccination

COVID Booster doses are now available to the following groups, provided it’s been 6 months (182 days) since their second dose.

• people aged 40 and over
• people who live and work in care homes
• frontline health and social care workers
• people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
• people aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
• people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

If you are eligible, you can book an appointment in advance via the NHS National Booking System (booking open if it’s been 5 months since second dose) or walk-in to any of our many vaccine sites and pharmacies across the borough to get yours.

If you're eligible for a booster dose and you've had a positive COVID-19 test, you need to wait 4 weeks (28 days) before getting a booster dose.

Once you have had the Booster or third doses, they will show up automatically in the digital COVID Pass. It will take a while for them to be reflected on the Covid Pass letter service. At the moment, it is not a current requirement for individuals to receive booster doses to qualify as fully vaccinated. It will also not be necessary to show evidence of a booster for travel into England at this time. However, NHS COVID Pass can now be used to demonstrate proof of a booster or third dose for outbound international travel.

COVID-19 Vaccine Second doses:

Second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are now being offered to 16 and 17 year olds. If you are 16-17 and booking a second dose, you can book it from 12 weeks after getting your first dose.

However, If you are 18 years old or over, you can book your second dose from 8 weeks after getting your first dose.

If you are eligible, you can either book your appointment in advance or visit any of the walk-in vaccination sites in the borough.

Vaccine centres updates (Westminster Weekend activity):

• Friday, 26 November, 12pm- 2:30pm: Walk-in Vaccine bus at London Central Mosque, 146 Park Road, NW8 7RG
• Saturday 27 November, 9am - 5pm: Walk-in Vaccine clinic at Harris Academy, Marlborough Hill, St. John's Wood, NW8 0NL
  The Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine will be available for first, second, third vaccines and the booster vaccine for those who are eligible. Walk in or pre-book to guarantee an appointment.
• Sunday 28 November, 10am – 4pm: Vaccine Bus at Porchester Hall, Queensway, W2 5HS
• Other pharmacy and community clinics (Abbey Centre and Stowe Centre) continue as usual.

Lateral Flow Tests (LFT)

While the vaccine is the best form of protection and our way forward, even when vaccinated there's still a chance people can catch the virus and pass it on. Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms, don’t realise they’re infected, and can spread the virus without knowing it to their friends, family or workmates.

Rapid lateral flow tests are most useful at identifying COVID-19 in people without any symptoms.

As we get back to normal life over autumn and winter periods, the advice on taking rapid lateral flow tests is moving to a risk based approach.

People are encouraged to take a test based on anticipated risk of exposure:

• Take a rapid lateral flow test if you expect there will be a period of higher risk that day, particularly if you are visiting people who are vulnerable or at higher risk of severe illness if they were infected with COVID-19.
• Take a rapid lateral flow test before visiting any crowded or enclosed spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious and where there is limited fresh air.
• If you test positive, you should immediately self-isolate and confirm your result by booking a PCR test.

This will help uncover hidden cases of COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the virus, particularly to those that are more vulnerable.

Online events:

Information session about vaccinating young people with Covid-19 vaccines
About: This meeting is for young people and their families to ask any questions they might have about Covid-19 vaccines to Dr Julian Redhead, senior consultant at St Mary's hospital. Please do encourage any young people and their families to attend so that they can be supported to make an informed decision about getting vaccinated.
When: Thursday 25th November, 5.30 - 6.30pm
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82021986085?pwd=MGRtZWtaQjN3cjJuelZBVDF3WDdiQT09
For more info contact: Nafsika Thalassis at nafsika.thalassis@bmehf.org.uk

Keeping communities safe during winter
About: Community leaders briefing with UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) aimed at faith leaders, voluntary and community groups
When: Thursday 25 November, 11am
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8nioGLoDS-y12tPF2fripA

Money Management workshops- Managing Energy Bills
About: Citizens Advice Westminster are running a series of virtual workshops on Managing Energy Bills. This will include discussions on investigating ways to reduce energy bills, understanding your tariff choices, discovering how to save money by switching energy supplier, and finding out about schemes to reduce your energy bill
When: Wednesday 1st December, 10:30 – 12:00 and Wednesday 15th December, 10:30- 12:00
Register: https://managingenergybillscab.eventbrite.co.uk/

Please get back to me should there be any questions or comments.

Thank you,
Muskaan

Muskaan Khurana
Community Resilience Manager

Public Health
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea | Westminster City Council

Westminster City Council
64 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6QP
mkhurana@westminster.gov.uk
0750 6202 574
www.westminster.gov.uk