Southwark health officials are hoping for a ‘vaccine surge’ across the borough to encourage more people to get inoculated against COVID-19 amid rising cases.
Southwark Council and the NHS’ South East London Clinical Commissioning Group are focusing activity including door knocking, leafleting and pop-up vaccination events in areas with relatively low vaccine take-up in the over 40s.
This week letters were sent to 5,000 properties in London and West Bermondsey ward followed by door knocks from trained vaccine champions who have been answering any questions and directing unvaccinated people to the seven-day walk-in clinic at Guy’s Hospital, alongside handing out at-home COVID-19 testing kits.
Cllr Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are pulling out all the stops to make it as easy as possible for residents to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and where they are able to get their jab.
“In the coming days and weeks, we will be knocking on doors, speaking to residents directly and by letter, and promoting nearby vaccination clinics, so you may notice some activity in your area.
“Cases of COVID-19 are rising in Southwark, with most cases being the Delta variant.
“Two doses give much better protection against the Delta variant than one dose, so please remember to go along to your second jab.”
Find out more about how and where to get your second jab here.