Being given a Covid-19 vaccine was a Godsend as cases continue to rise

Stand Up For Southport Blog by Andrew Brown

I’m delighted to have just received my third Covid-19 vaccination.  

Of course Bill Gates would already know that, monitoring me via the microchips he implanted in my arms via the first two vaccines… 

That’s according to some of the anti-vaxxer conspiracy theories that you occasionally come across on social media. 

The misinformation about Covid-19 and Covid vaccines is thankfully not as prevalent as it once was, dissipating the more that people become aware of the facts that exist rather than the conspiracy theories. 

Another reason, tragically, has been the growing number of deaths and cases, not just across the UK and the rest of the world, but also here in Southport and Sefton. This disease is impacting more and more people’s lives.  

So many of us now know someone who has lost their life to this cruel and devastating disease. 

Many have lost friends or relatives. 

Nationally, there have been many stories of people who were opposed to the idea of having a Covid vaccine, only to hugely regret their stance once lying in a hospital bed fighting for their lives. 

We reported earlier this year how a Southport woman sadly  lost both her parents to Covid-19 within just 24 hours of each other. 

How a very much-loved local dad-of-11 died with Covid-19 just eight weeks after welcoming a newborn daughter into the world. 

How colleagues at Southport Hospital – who have battled through some horrendous experiences since the Covid pandemic began – mourned one of their own colleagues, a much-respected nurse. 

Hundreds of people locally have been left with the debilitating effects of long Covid. 

It was a Godsend last year when efficient and effective Covid vaccines began to become available. 

This is a crucial autumn, with third Covid vaccines now being administered in what will hopefully work as a buffer against another wave of Covid destroying lives, filling up hospital wards and threatening the viability of more local businesses. 

I used to have a phobia of needles. But I have looked forward to all three of my Covid vaccines this year. The decision to receive vaccinations against Covid-19 was the easiest I have made.

The first two vaccines were AstraZeneca, the one this morning was Pfizer, administered at the excellent Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing on Hoghton Street in Southport town centre. 

The operation was very slick and well organised, the team at Hoghton Street excellent. 

The side effects so far have been minimal. A sore arm and a little nausea. The benefits, in terms of providing me with vital protection against Covid, for myself and my family, are massive. 

People across Sefton are currently being invited to take up the offer of a Covid-19 vaccine, whether that’s a first, a second or a third jab. 

Sefton Council, and NHS North and South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are currently targeting all areas of the borough, but particularly those with low uptakes. 

Sefton currently has high levels of Covid infection, with a rate of 395.4 per 100,000.

There have been 1,091 cases in the seven days to 19th October. 

Nationally, Covid cases have been rising, leading to pressure by some for the Government to bring in tighter restrictions.

Sefton currently has a 79.3% rate for first Covid vaccinations and 73.9% for second vaccinations. The rates are increasing, but they need to be higher. 

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said:

“The difference between some of the most and least vaccinated parts of Sefton is as much as 25% and with the Delta variant of the virus still prominent in the Borough, it is vital we try to narrow that gap and stop the spread of COVID-19.

“Encouraging more people to get vaccinated is the best way to do it.

“There is no reasonable doubt that vaccines are the best way to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19 and to help reduce the spread of infections.

“We know there are a number of reasons people may not have had a jab yet, including access to vaccination venues, time pressures or a lack of information.

“While some may be wanting to give the impression that COVID-19 is over, it is still very much with us and proof of that, sadly, is the four coronavirus-related deaths of the Borough’s residents during one recent week. That means today, four Sefton families are still desperately missing a mother or a father, a gran or grandad a brother or sister or even a child.

“Vaccination greatly reduces the risk of serious COVID-19 infection, and we are stressing it’s never too late to get vaccinated, although for some people and their families, sadly it is.”

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com