Clinically vulnerable teenagers protected from covid

People aged 16 – 65 who are clinically vulnerable have started to receive their first covid vaccinations in Sheffield this week.

Covid-19 can affect anyone but if you have certain long-term health conditions, catching covid can be very serious and in some cases fatal.  

The Peak Edge primary care network vaccination centre, based at Meadowgreen Health Centre, started vaccinating clinically vulnerable patients this week. Amongst the first to be vaccinated were two teenagers that have long term conditions that put them at more risk of complications from covid-19.

Jack Butcher, aged 17, was vaccinated at Meadowgreen Health Centre at Jordanthorpe on 17 February. Jack and his family suffer from severe asthma so have had to take extra precautions to stay safe during the pandemic.

Jack said: “I was looking forward to having the vaccination as all my immediate family suffer from asthma and could become seriously unwell if we caught covid. Having the vaccination gives us extra peace of mind. I would definitely encourage those invited to go for the vaccination. It was really simple, it took 30 seconds and didn’t hurt. The staff were really nice and it was very efficient.”

Melissa Boddy, also aged 17, had her covid vaccination on 17 February too. Melissa had been invited for her vaccination as she has underlying health conditions that mean she is more likely to suffer serious effects of the virus.

Melissa is encouraging others who are invited for their vaccination to take up the offer. She said: “I was a bit nervous to have my vaccination at first but my mum came along with me and it was fine. The vaccination is the start of us getting back to normal and out of lockdown. I’d say to anyone unsure about having it to just go for it.”

Alun Windle, Chief Nurse and Covid Vaccination Lead at NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning group said: “As well as vaccinating people who are clinically vulnerable we’ve also now started vaccinating 65-69 year olds.

“This is the biggest vaccination programme the NHS has ever undertaken and these are the largest groups to vaccinate so far and will take time to contact everyone. In the meantime, please don’t call your GP to enquire about a vaccine, the NHS will contact you when you’re eligible and we have a supply of vaccines.”

Although the NHS have now started vaccinating new cohorts of patients, if you are over 70, clinically extremely vulnerable or a frontline health and social care worker and yet to have the vaccine for whatever reason, it’s not too late to come forward. You can now book a vaccination appointment online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ or call the free number on 119.

Alun added: “We do not yet know whether the vaccine will stop you from catching and passing on the virus but two doses will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill from covid-19. So it’s important to remember to continue to follow social distancing guidance, wash your hands frequently and wear a mask when in public, even if you’ve had both vaccinations.”