Statement from the Director of Public Health
To help protect yourself and your family, we are still running a pop-up vaccination clinic until 30 April at One Stockport Hub, in the former Argos store, in Merseyway, SK1 1RA from 9.30am to 5pm Wednesday to Friday and 9.30am to 3.30pm on Saturdays. The hub will continue to open in May on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
This is to facilitate the Covid 19 spring booster programme and anyone who has not yet had a first or second vaccination or booster in a convenient place to get boosted and stay protected from COVID-19. There’s a particular focus on booster vaccines for over 75s, and those aged 12 years and over who have a weakened immune system. An extra booster is beneficial for those at higher risk of severe coronavirus, because immunity derived from vaccination declines over time and many of the oldest adults received their most recent vaccine dose in September or October 2021.
In addition, children aged between 5 and 11 are also invited to get their first Covid vaccine at the One Stockport Hub, or, along with all eligible cohorts aged 12 plus, can book via the national booking system online or by calling 119.
If you can’t make it to one of the pop-ups, GPs in Brinnington, Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Hazel Grove, High Lane, Marple and Reddish are inviting all their eligible patients aged 75+. Vaccinations are also being offered by some pharmacies and you can book your appointment via the National Booking Service or by calling 119. The appointment dates you’ll be offered start from 3 months (91 days) after your previous dose but booking an appointment around 6 months after your previous dose is preferable to get maximum protection from a spring booster.
There is also a walk-in and booked appointments clinic at Trinity Methodist Church, 351 Bramhall Lane, SK3 8TP, open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm.
Full details of places to get a vaccination in Stockport, including many options available without prior booking, are on the CCG website.
So far, 87.4% of those aged 18+ and 87.1% of those aged 16 plus have received their first dose. Also, 85.4% of those aged 18+ and 84.6% of those aged 16 plus have received their second dose. Also, 64.5% of healthy 12–15-year-olds have had a first dose and 44.3% have had their second dose. In addition, 72.1% of the adult population have had a booster dose and 19.1% of those aged 16 and 17.
While free PCR or lateral flow device testing is no longer be available for most people, they are still available to purchase, so if you do carry out an LFT test, please do continue to report the result.
If you do test positive, our advice is that adults should isolate for 5 days and children for 3 days. After this period, you can end your isolation if you feel well and don’t have a temperature but should avoid contact with anyone who might be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 until 10 days after your positive test.
You can also still continue to adapt your behaviour to reduce the risk of catching and passing on COVID-19 by:
• Getting vaccinated
• Letting fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meeting outside
• Wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where coming into contact with people they do not usually meet and when rates of transmission are high
• Washing hands and following advice to “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it”.
