Westminster COVID-19 Updates: Holiday period!

Hi all,
Hope you are well and looking forward to the holidays and time with your loved ones.
As the COVID-19 situation in London and England rapidly continues to evolve, here are a few useful updates-

Second doses for 12-15 year-olds:

A second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can now be booked for children aged 12 to 15 year, provided it is at least twelve weeks since their first dose. It will be happening through schools again in the New Year, but if people are 12 weeks past their 1st jab they can book online via the NHS national booking portal.

• Children can get a 1st dose of the vaccine from the day they turn 12.
• Most children can get a 2nd dose from 12 weeks after they had their 1st dose.
• Some children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a second dose of the vaccine eight weeks after their first dose if they live with someone who is more likely to get infections or has a condition that means they are at high risk from COVID-19. Children in this group will be contacted by a local NHS service such as their GP surgery to arrange their appointments.
• If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 and is not at high risk from COVID-19, they need to wait 12 weeks before they can have a COVID-19 vaccine.
• This starts from the date of their positive PCR test.

London Informed: ‘Big Conversation’ community events:

With the cases of the Omicron variant rising significantly in every London borough, it is more important than ever to ensure Londoners from all backgrounds and ages have the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns and receive expert advice on the COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses and the Omicron Variant. Together, the NHS, Greater London Authority, Association of Directors of Public Health, and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities are partnering with community organisations across the city to help get London Informed, so no one gets left behind.

• Big Conversation event in collaboration with The UBELE Initiative
  Wednesday 22 December 2021, 5 - 6pm
  Register now on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
• Big Conversation event in collaboration with Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA)
  Wednesday 22 December 2021, 6 - 7pm
  Register now on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Vaccinations available in Westminster:

More vaccination capacity and venues are being opened across Westminster and North West London for first, second and booster vaccines for those eligible. Please wear a face covering when at a vaccine centre and if possible, take a rapid lateral flow test before you visit. Please stay at home and rebook your appointment if you are unwell.

Vaccination centres are operating at:

Festive Testing Centre Opening Hours:

Regular testing of people without symptoms will help to find cases that would otherwise go undetected and is important to help stop the virus spreading and protect your loved ones.

Taking a free rapid lateral flow test before a period of higher risk, such as visiting a vulnerable person or attending an event in an enclosed and crowded setting, will give you peace of mind that you are unlikely to be infectious with COVID-19, and it is unlikely you will spread the virus.

People can also collect free, fast and easy to use lateral-flow symptom tests at the following locations-

• Hall Place Test Centre (formally the Paddington Green Estate Office), Hall Place, W2 1NG
• Church House Conference Centre, Great Smith Street, SW1P 3NZ
• Soho Housing Office, 60-62 Broadwick Street, W1F 7AN (closed on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 December)
• Greenside Community Centre, 24 Lilestone St, Marylebone, NW8 8SR
• Lydford Tenants and Residents Hall, 74 Fernheard Road, W9 3EW
• Marylebone Library, New Cavendish Street, W1G 8UQ (during Library holiday opening times)
• Westminster Reference Library, St Martin's Street, WC2H 7HQ (during Library holiday opening times)
• Regent Street Campus, reception, 309 Regent Street, W1B 2HW (Monday- Friday, 9am- 4pm)
• Marylebone Campus, reception, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS (Monday- Friday, 9am- 4pm)
• You can also order free home test kits on GOV.UK
• Get a collect code to pick up test-kits from a local pharmacy

Please keep checking the Coronavirus | Westminster City Council for any subjected changes.

Please get back to me if there are any questions or concerns.

Thank you!
Best wishes,
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