WITH fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber travel list destinations no longer having to quarantine from 19 July, there are more reasons than ever to make sure you get your covid-19 jab.
Now that people under 40 wait just eight weeks instead of 12 for their second jab, it means that those getting their first jab this week would be able to get double jabbed in time for a holiday abroad in September.
Getting your jab is easier than ever with vaccination services available across the North East– Click here for a list of County Durham walk-in clinics.
Dr Stewart Findlay, clinical director for the COVID-19 Vaccination programme, North East and North Cumbria and chief officer, NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said getting vaccinated was the key to getting back to the things people loved.
“It’s been a very difficult 15 months for many people, and it’s been especially hard for young people who’ve not been able to do many of the normal things they do such as clubbing, festivals and holidays with mates.
“The only way to get your COVID-19 passport is to have both jabs, eight weeks apart and only vaccines given by the NHS will count. This news will hopefully help encourage those who have not yet come forward for their vaccine to do so.
Dr Findlay continued: “It’s important to remember that the vaccine passport is the official evidence to show that you’ve had your jabs.
“Without it you may not be able to travel abroad, do certain jobs or go to places such as pubs or restaurants if owners decide to make vaccination a condition.”
The updated guidance to have your second jab at eight weeks was announced by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and reflects the growing evidence of better immune response and/or protection where longer intervals between doses are used.
The vaccine has already:
- saved more than 27,000 UK lives (according to Public Health England)
- helped reduce person-to-person virus spread (or transmission), symptoms and serious illness
- helped protect against new variants