The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges our health service has ever faced, and our historic vaccination programme has been vital in helping us to address it. 132 million vaccinations in a single year is astounding and a true reflection of the fantastic work of our NHS and its volunteers – I want to thank each and every one of them.
Locally, the last month has been challenging. The seven-day rolling rate of positive test results in the Sevenoaks District at the start December stood at 600 per 100,000 people. On the 23rd December cases peaked at 1,565 per 100,000 people – an increase of 161%. During this period, six people sadly died from the virus, but this is compared to 40 in the same month last year, so we can see how effective the vaccine has been at increasing the protection for our community.
As we look to 2022, we must make sure people continue to come forward for their lifesaving jab, and to start the new year with the best possible protection from Omicron. There has been a herculean effort from our local NHS to make vaccines available to us all – particularly the booster programme. At Sevenoaks Pharmacy and St Mary’s in Swanley, vaccinators, supporting staff and volunteers have worked immensely hard to deal with both booked appointments and walk-ins, alongside the support of local GP surgeries. I got my booster in Swanley over the last week and I was so impressed by the warmth, friendliness and efficiency at the centre.
I was initially concerned about booster capacity within Sevenoaks; however I welcomed the large walk-in centre arranged at the Sevenoaks Sports Centre for three days post-Christmas. This greatly eased the pressure on Sevenoaks Pharmacy, and I would like to thank all those involved.
To provide some context on what’s been achieved, November 2021 saw around 21,000 booster jabs administered. In December this increased to 29,000 (despite the Christmas holiday period) – not far short of a 50% increase. This means currently around 76% of Sevenoaks District residents (who are aged 12 and over, and had already received their second dose), have now had the booster. Truly terrific news.
Whilst the signs are that Omicron is less severe than earlier variants, its great transmissibility means we should expect many more cases and hospitalisations in the coming weeks. In the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust, which covers Pembury Hospital, there was a 50% increase in the number of patients from the start to the end of December. The absolute figures are much lower than last year’s winter wave, but with there being a lag of a several weeks from being infected to ending up in hospital, these figures are likely to rise. Additionally, being more virulent, means staff sickness at hospitals is increasing at a fast rate, putting more pressure on the staff who are left working.
So, the message is simple, please come forward to receive your vaccine, be it a first, second or booster dose. It will help protect yourself, your family our community and our local NHS.
Testing also continues to play a vital role, and I have raised my urgent concerns over the recent difficulties in obtaining lateral flow tests through local chemists. I am pleased to say that the Government are doubling the capacity for deliveries with the post office and tripling the supply of lateral flow tests from 100 million to 300 million in January and February and I hope this will make a real difference to supply at pharmacies. And if you continue to face issues please contact my office on 0207 219 6898 and we will do all we can to help you place an order.
No one wants to see the return of restrictions, so let’s start 2022, as we finished 2021; by pulling together as a community, and all playing our role in keeping ourselves, our family and friends, and our local NHS protected.
