Local businesses are telling us that they are suffering from high staff absence at the moment due to covid self-isolation or childcare issues due to school bubble isolations. To keep businesses operating at full capacity, and get Knowsley back to full strength we are encouraging all businesses to promote the Covid vaccine to their employees.
In a bid to get as many people who live and work in Knowsley vaccinated as possible, drop-in clinics will be held in Huyton and Kirkby for the next two weekends.
Residents aged over 18 are being urged to “Grab a Jab” and take an important step towards getting their lives safely back to “normal”.
Anyone who is eligible to receive a vaccination can drop in – there is no need to make an appointment – to receive their first jab or their second jab (if more than 8 weeks has passed since their first vaccination).
The drop-in clinics are being held at:-
Huyton One Stop Shop in Huyton Town Centre and Kirkby One Stop Shop in Kirkby Town Centre
- Saturday 10 July and Sunday 11 July 2021 (10.00am to 5pm)
- Saturday 17 July 2021 and Sunday 18 July 2021 (10.00am to 5pm)
You don’t need to visit a clinic in Knowsley, which means you get your jab wherever is easiest for you. You can also find other ‘Grab a Jab’ clinics across the region here: Grab A Jab This Weekend – Cheshire & Merseyside Health & Care Partnership (cheshireandmerseysidepartnership.co.uk)
The Council has also reached an agreement with Healthwatch Knowsley to provide a taxi service for residents who are struggling to get to clinic or to a pre-booked appointment. In those circumstances residents can call 0151 449 3954 (lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and 10am to 5pm at weekends).
The Government announced this week that the relaxation of current COVID-19 rules is expected to proceed as planned on 19 July 2021 (this will be confirmed on 12 July). It was also confirmed that from 16 August 2021 anyone who has received both vaccinations will no longer be required to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone with COVID-19 or to quarantine after foreign travel to Amber list countries.
Having had both jabs is therefore going to be a real and practical step for people to get back to “normal”, as well as being the best of way of protecting themselves against the virus.
Dr Sarah McNulty, Knowsley’s Director of Public Health, commented: “We know that if the Government’s plans do go ahead on 19 July, that there is going to be more socialising and far fewer restrictions on our freedoms. Whilst people will be encouraged by these changes, we also must remember that the virus is still circulating – so getting the vaccine has never been more important.
The medical data has shown us that fully vaccinated people are far less likely to catch the virus, pass it on, or become seriously ill – so getting both jabs really is the best way to protect yourself as you get your life back on track.”
Cases in Knowsley are highest in younger men. We urge local businesses to encourage all employees to get their first jab, if they have not done so already, and also to get their second jab between 6-8 weeks after the first.