Nearly 53,000 adults a day in Greater Manchester need to get a booster jab to meet Boris Johnson’s target and stem the tide of Omicron.
Described as an ‘unprecedented’ challenge by the region’s health chiefs, it will take a Herculean effort from a workforce already exhausted after the onslaught of the last two years.
Adding to the challenge are the 600,000 adults across Greater Manchester - around 25pc of the adult population - who have not had their first two doses of the vaccine. Including over-12s, that’s closer to 40pc.
READ MORE: Where to get a walk-in booster and vaccination in Greater Manchester tonight - and this weekend
Amid growing evidence that just being double-jabbed, especially with the AstraZeneca vaccine, offers much lower resistance to Omicron, encouraging these patients to come forward has taken on new urgency as leaders battle the double threat of both Delta and the new variant.
Before Boris Johnson’s announcement, the programme was running around 18,000 jabs a day. Bosses are now aiming to treble those efforts. It seems an extremely tall ask.
Jane Pilkington, director of population health and senior responsible officer for Covid-19 vaccinations, told the Manchester Evening News : “It’s a phenomenal effort.
“I think it’s the right decision to accelerate the booster programme. The evidence suggests that two doses alone don’t provide much protection against Omicron.
“I think we’ve been set targets before that appear unachievable but the system and the public have responded incredibly well.
“We have already grown our capacity by 130pc. I have real hopes we will get there and will certainly have made the offer to everybody and I hope that everybody takes up that offer.”
On the consequences if the programme is unsuccessful, she added: “Given where we are with Omicron on top of Delta and the rising infections we are likely to see, the booster programme is incredibly important. We want to get that across.”
Vaccination centres across the region
Describing the scale and pooling of NHS resources as ‘unprecedented’ - and recognising the huge effort it will require of the workforce - Jane said the region’s 139 vaccinations sites at GP surgeries, hospitals, pharmacies and the Etihad have ramped up their operations; boosting their workforce and extending hours to a minimum of 12 hours a day.
This weekend, the Etihad will trial the first 24-hour service, running non-stop from 8am on Sunday to 8am on Monday morning, with the night-time operation by appointment only.
There are also two Army teams aiding the effort, one based between Manchester City and Salford and the other moving between areas. On each unit are five immunisers and one registered immuniser.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue are also on board, setting up a regional helpline to direct people to where there is capacity - and assist those who may not be able to use the online booking system or are uncertain whether to go to a walk-in or secure a slot first.
It’s hoped this will help to ease pressure on GPs who have been ‘inundated’ with calls about vaccinations.
The suspension of the 15-minute wait after the jab to monitor for allergic reactions has also helped speed up the process.
So far in Greater Manchester, since the start of the booster programme, 907,000 have been delivered, with a remaining 899,000 eligible adults - who had their first two injections three months previously - now due to be offered a jab before December 31.
New measures will increase jabs to 41,000 a day, with further capacity to be opened up with pop-up sites, drive thrus and help from GMFRS to bolster the workforce and find new sites.
On Wednesday, more than 27,000 patients in the region were given boosters - a record for the programme and 13,000 more than on the same day last week.
And health leaders are keen to let patients know that there are hundreds of slots available this weekend, including at the Etihad's Mass Vaccination Centre which has at least 2,500 slots a day.
Jane added: “It’s amazing what people have done in a really short space of time, how they have upped capacity in just 24 hours.”
On those who are yet to receive their first doses, she added: “It’s incredibly important to get as many people as possible. We all agree the importance of picking up those primary doses so we are putting a lot of effort into promoting that primary dose alongside the booster.
“Somewhere like Greater Manchester, because of the nature of the community, as we saw earlier on in the pandemic, is more susceptible because of higher enduring transmission.
“However we are holding our own in terms of vaccination rates and the booster programme is going really well in terms of uptake.
“I’ve got high hopes that we will achieve the booster uptake among our population.”
Fears over cancelled appointments
The programme has caused some concern and confusion for patients, many of whom have been told that ‘routine’ medical appointments are no longer available. GPs have voiced fears that patients might be missed and treatment delayed, as was the case with earlier waves in the pandemic.
Jane, added: “There is national guidance to allow both hospital trusts and primary care to balance two really important priorities, continuity of care which is really important but also supporting the vaccination programme which is now seen as the number one priority for the NHS”
She said they were developing a framework so there is 'consistency' on which services are stepped down, with urgent services for conditions like heart attacks, strokes and cancer treatment to continue throughout.
Reminding communities that wearing masks, distancing, ventilation and hygiene will continue to be key to protect members of the population who aren’t covered by a booster, she added: “The people of Greater Manchester have been fantastic in their response.”
Registering the ‘marvellous response’ of the NHS, social care workers, volunteers and local authorities, she added: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to everybody who is supporting the programme.”
Christine Khiroya, nurse consultant with lead responsibility for screening and immunisation, also appealed to those who have not had their first or second doses to come forward.
“If you are unsure just come and have that conversation just to answer your questions.”
She said a third dose then a booster for those patients who are immunosuppressed is also key, adding: “Pregnant women can also still come forward. Have a conversation if you are unsure.
“Those with learning disabilities, come forward, we will adapt services to meet their needs. If you are scared of needles, again come and talk to somebody, we’ll work through it with you and support you to have the vaccine.”
She said you can have the flu and Covid jabs at the same time, adding: “Thank you to all those who are coming forward for vaccinations and boosters.”
