People in Harrogate face a trip to Leeds for their nearest covid booster jab walk-in clinics.
NHS England has announced that, from today, hundreds of vaccination sites in England have started offering booster jabs without appointments for those eligible.
But according to the NHS England site, the nearest walk-in clinic for people in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough is currently Elland Road stadium in Leeds.
Other sites listed for Harrogate are in Bradford, Wakefield and Halifax, the latter of which has five.
The nearest site listed for people in Masham is in Teesside, 44 miles away.
Those eligible must have had their second vaccine six months ago and be aged over 50 or have an underlying medical condition.
Care home staff and residents, and frontline health and social care workers can also get the booster vaccine.
The walk-in centres will also offer first covid vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds.
Read more:
- Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-olds
- Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site to reopen for just two weeks
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the NHS covid vaccination programme, said:
“NHS staff are making it as easy as possible for people to get their top-up vaccination, and from today people can now go online, find their nearest site and go and get their booster without delay.
“The booster is not just a nice to have – it is really important protection ahead of what we know will be a challenging winter. So if you are eligible, please do check the site finder and go get your jab”.
Local bookings available
Those eligible for a booster can still book appointments at vaccination sites in the district.
The Homecare Pharmacy site in Knaresborough is currently offering vaccinations by appointment. Last week, the centre at Chain Lane Community Hub welcomed its first 12 to 15-year-olds to be offered a vaccine.
The Great Yorkshire Showground vaccination site will reopen in December for two weeks in an effort to tackle demand for booster jabs.
To book an appointment, visit the NHS England website.
Covid poetry raises funds for Harrogate hospitalA book of poetry and photography about covid has been published to raise money for Harrogate hospital.
The book, called Focus on the GOOD, was compiled by author Leah Knight and Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity.
The charity has been collecting thoughts, anecdotes, stories and photographs from colleagues, volunteers, patients, service users and families about their experiences over the last year. They formed the basis of the book.
Contributors include staff from The White Hart Hotel, Little Dragons Day Nursery, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, Ashville College, Belmont Grosvenor School, Mike Brown Art, Stacey J Evans Photography and the Cedar Court Hotel.
Author Leah Knight said:
“Focus on the GOOD is filled with poetry inspired by stories of people we can all relate to, which is one of the many reasons it will always hold a special place in my heart.
“I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.”
Read more:
- Harrogate hospital staff shortages delay schools vaccine programme
- Harrogate’s Damn Yankee restaurant closes
Sammy Lambert, business development, charity and volunteer manager at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The last 18 months has been filled with much sadness, but there have also been times where we can laugh and smile too.
“This book reflects on what has been gained as well as lost, where hope and positivity overcame fear, and how through challenging times a sense of community spirit has shone through.”
All proceeds from the book, which costs £12.99, will go towards the charity. It can be bought here.
Bilton church holds gathering to remember the dead
A church in Bilton is holding an event tomorrow to remember those who have died over the last 18 months.
The gathering of lament and remembering, which is open to everyone, will be held at St John’s Church on Bilton Lane.
It will commemorate those who have lost their lives to covid and anyone else who has died since the pandemic began. It will take place two days before All Souls Day, the annual Christian day for remembering the dead.
The 45-minute event starts at 3.30pm and will include music, hymns and reflection. There will also be the opportunity to light candles.
Pre-pandemic, the church held two memorial services each year primarily for families it had taken funeral services for.
Rev Simon Dowson, rector of St John’s and St Luke’s in Bilton, said:
“The last 18 months have been a very challenging time for our community in all sorts of ways, and grief and sadness have been emotions that many of us have been experiencing.
“Our gathering ‘A time to lament and remember’ offers people an opportunity to come together in a sacred space to acknowledge that grief and sadness and hopefully be helped in their journey of bereavement.”
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111 covid cases in Harrogate district as rate continues to fall
A further 111 covid cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district as the seven-day covid rate continues to fall.
The rate has dropped to 517 per 100,000 people – yesterday it was 573.
It is now the third highest rate in North Yorkshire, below Craven and Ryedale.
North Yorkshire’s average is 503 per 100,000 and England’s is 450.
No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to latest NHS England figures.
The hospital was treating 19 covid patients as of Monday.
Read more:
- Harrogate pharmacy customers face long queues outdoors
- Care staff shortages ‘critical’ ahead of compulsory vaccine deadline
Furthermore, 12-15 year olds can now book their covid vaccines appointments.
As of today, a total of 130,659 first doses have been delivered and 122,031 second doses of the vaccine.
Harrogate district covid rate falling rapidlyThe Harrogate district reported another 119 cases of covid today, as the seven-day rate continues to fall.
The rate has dropped to 573 per 100,000 people — well below the 740 mark it achieved on October 16.
Ryedale and Craven both now have higher rates in North Yorkshire.
The county average is 543 and the England rate stands at 479.
No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to latest NHS England figures.
The hospital was treating 19 covid patients as of Monday.
Read more:
- Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-olds
- Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site to reopen for just two weeks
Meanwhile, 12 to 15-year-olds can now book their covid vaccine appointments on the NHS website.
The large vaccination site at Askham Bar on the outskirts of York and the Homecare Pharmacy site in Knaresborough are among the venues offering vaccine appointments.
Elland Road stadium in Leeds is also available to book.
Harrogate district reports 121 covid cases as rate falls to 612A further 121 cases of covid have been reported in the Harrogate district.
The district’s seven-day covid rate has dropped to 612 per 100,000 people. The North Yorkshire average is 548 and the England rate stands at 484.
No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to latest NHS England figures.
Read more:
- Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site to reopen for just two weeks
- Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-olds
The hospital was treating 19 covid patients as of yesterday.
A total of 130,232 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 121,915 have had a second dose.
Today, it was announced that the Great Yorkshire Showground vaccination site will reopen for two weeks in December as health bosses anticipate demand for booster covid vaccines.
Harrogate hospital records another covid death but infection rate fallsHarrogate District Hospital has reported another death from a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.
The death toll from covid at the hospital since March last year now stands at 193.
According to NHS England figures, the latest death was recorded on October 22.
Meanwhile, a further 97 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district according to latest Public Health England figures.
Read more:
- Harrogate hospital staff shortages delay schools vaccine programme
- Harrogate district schools urged to bring back face masks
- Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-olds
The district’s seven-day covid rate has dropped to 612 per 100,000 people and is no longer the highest average in the county.
The North Yorkshire average is 548 and the England rate stands at 484.
A total of 130,232 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 121,915 have had a second dose.
Today, Knaresborough’s vaccine centre welcomed its first 12 to 15-year-olds for covid vaccine appointments.
Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-oldsKnaresborough’s vaccination site today welcomed the first 12 to 15 year olds through its doors amid concern about high coronavirus cases in the Harrogate district.
The government initially said that all children in that age group would be offered jabs on school premises by half-term.
However, the roll-out in schools locally has been delayed due to staffing issues at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.
So the NHS has asked Homecare Pharmacy Services, which recently moved to the Chain Lane Community Hub in Knaresborough, to help out with the roll-out.
William Kean, 12, from Harrogate, was among the first of his cohort to get vaccinated today. He told the Stray Ferret:
“I was a little bit nervous but it was fine, it didn’t hurt very much. I thought it was going to be worse. Hopefully it means I don’t miss as much school now.”
The Homecare team at the launch of the new clinic today.
Local public health officials have linked the high rate of infection in the Harrogate district to children returning to school in September.
The director of public health for North Yorkshire, Louise Wallace, revealed last week that she had urged schools to bring back face masks and reduce after-school activities as a result.
Read more:
- Harrogate hospital staff shortages delay schools vaccine programme
- Harrogate district schools urged to bring back face masks
Jason Baskind, managing director of Homecare Pharmacy Services, told the Stray Ferret:
“Obviously the school teams have been struggling to get the children all done. The initial offer has got to be through schools.
“But the NHS has asked us and other vaccination centres to put on these clinics for children because it’s half-term and because of the situation in Harrogate.”
Sue Vasey, interim director at the Chain Lane Community Hub, added:
Harrogate district covid rate continues to decline“It was really important for us to be able to offer this facility for such an important programme, particularly now when infection levels are so high in our area.
“We are always in need of volunteers but it’s a great atmosphere and a really good team. Everyone has really pulled together to make this work.”
A further 127 coronavirus cases have been reported in the Harrogate district today, amid signs the infection rate may have peaked.
The district’s seven-day rate remains at 667 cases per 100,000, which remains the highest in the county but is below the 739 of a week ago.
The district with the second highest rate in North Yorkshire is Ryedale, at 607.
The North Yorkshire average is 535 and the England rate stands at 482.
Read more:
- Harrogate hospital staff shortages delay schools vaccine programme
- Harrogate hospital reveals winter plans
This week, schools in the district were encouraged to reintroduce face masks and postpone some activities after the district’s sharp rise in covid cases was linked to young people.
Harrogate district reports 150 covid cases as rate dropsThe Harrogate district has reported another 150 covid cases as its seven-day rate has dropped, according to latest Public Health England figures.
The district’s seven-day covid rate has dropped to 667 per 100,000 people, but remains the highest in the county.
The North Yorkshire average is 535 and the England rate stands at 482.
Read more:
- Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine centre to reopen
- Harrogate district schools urged to bring back face masks
This week, headteachers have been urged to bring back face masks and postpone after-school activities in an effort to bring down cases.
No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to latest NHS England figures.
A total of 130,122 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 121,675 have had a second dose.