At the end of September, the Office for National Statistics reported that Covid infections in England were increasing, with some 1 in 50 infected. In addition, an estimated 2.3 million people (3.5% of the population) were experiencing the effects of long Covid.
Government data available on October 13 reports 13 covid cases in the Rye and Winchelsea area in the last seven days, and one death within 28 days of a positive covid test. In the East Sussex Healthcare Trust area, 111 patients were admitted to hospital with covid and 155 cases were recorded within every 100,000 people. These figures are much lower than the peak period of covid infections but are increasing, both locally and nationally.
With variant viruses in circulation this year, it remains important for those who are eligible to have the Covid booster, and also the winter flu vaccine - available from GP surgeries and high street pharmacists.
Since late May 2021, the Rye Covid Vaccination Centre at Tilling Green has delivered over 49,000 Covid jabs. We are now into phase 5 of the programme and using one of the newly developed bivalent vaccines that tackles both Omicron and the latest variants. Currently the centre is using the updated vaccine made by Pfizer/BioNTech, approved for use in individuals aged 12 years and older.
The Rye Vaccination Centre at Tilling Green is provided by Clarity Chemists, supported by a large pool of community volunteers. Many have been volunteering since the start.
The centre remains open during October on Mondays, Tuesdays (late am and pm) and Saturday afternoons. Opening hours may vary depending on the demand. Details can be found on @ryepfizer.
Patients are advised to book online for vaccination, which is offered to:
- adults aged 65 and over
- people with health conditions which put them at higher risk - including pregnant women
- frontline health and social care workers
- young people aged 16 or over - or at-risk children aged 12 to 15 - who have had both of their primary jabs
Other eligible groups should wait to be contacted by the NHS.
