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Nurse administering vaccines in Ealing

Second vaccine and update on enhanced testing

More than 120,000 vaccines have been given in the borough and those who were among the lucky first are now receiving a second vaccine.

It is important to have both doses of the vaccine to ensure you have the maximum level of protection from COVID-19.

When will I have my second vaccine?

If your GP booked you in for your first vaccine, they will contact you and book you for your second. Please note your GP may not contact you to book you in until closer to the time of your second vaccine. This may cause you some concern but be patient as your GP will contact you.

If you booked your first vaccine through one of the online booking systems, you will be able to book your second vaccine for 11-12 weeks later through the national booking system , you can do this at the same time as booking your first vaccine or after if you prefer. But please don’t leave it too long.

If possible, book for the same venue where you had your first vaccine.

What happens if more than 12 weeks passes?

If for any reason you miss having your second vaccine 12 weeks after your first, for instance if you were unwell and unable to attend, cancelled or forgot to book in the first place, please make sure you book-in and have it as soon as possible through the national booking system.

Update on enhanced testing

From the 1 – 14 February, an enhanced COVID-19 testing programme took place, for people living and working in parts of the W7 and W13 postcode areas in Hanwell and West Ealing. This was put in place because an individual was identified as testing positive with the South African variant. In total, almost 9,000 people without COVID-19 symptoms carried out tests.

All of these tests were sent for genomic sequencing and there was found to be no evidence of a spread of the variant. Of those tested, less than 110 local residents, who did not have symptoms, were identified with COVID-19, which is 1.8% of the number of tests carried out.

The council was then asked to carry out further enhanced testing borough wide as a small number of additional people were found to have the South African variant. Again, they had no travel history and none were from the original enhanced testing area.

From 25 February to 25 March, more than 16,000 tests were completed and have now been sent for genomic sequencing.

Thank you to everyone who came forward to get tested.

The council will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England to put in place appropriate public health interventions when variants of concern are found, including testing, increased genomic sequencing, and other measures to monitor and help suppress the spread of new variants

Keep testing

Overall, rates of COVID-19 continue to fall in Ealing and across London, and the current 7 day rolling rate is 64.4 per 100,000 in the borough.

But testing for coronavirus remains key in reducing the spread of the virus.

If you have symptoms (a high temperature; a new continuous cough; a loss of smell or taste) you should self-isolate immediately with your family and get a COVID-19 test.

One in three people with COVID-19 do not display any symptoms and this can mean that the virus is spread to other people, including people you live with.

Residents who have a valid reason for leaving home under the lockdown rules can now get a free coronavirus test in Ealing, even if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

Find out more about how and where to get a test.

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