Social Care Staff and Personal Assistants
Help protect yourself. Get your COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.
This has been the most challenging 12 months many of us can remember. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, our clinical and scientific colleagues have been working around the clock to develop a vaccine to help stop the spread of the virus. Following extensive trials, two safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available, with a third approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) and expected to be available later in the year.
As a colleague working in frontline health or social care – including those working in the independent and voluntary sector, contracted services, and students and trainees on placements - you are at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19, which is why you are among the first groups to be offered the vaccine.
The NHS is working hard to offer vaccines to everyone in this group over the coming weeks and we strongly encourage you to take up this opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as you are offered it.
Ensuring our fantastic staff are kept safe is an extremely high priority for us, but in addition to that, by getting the vaccine you can protect yourself from the virus so you can continue to be there for your family, friends, and those you care for.
As with any medicine, COVID-19 vaccines have gone through strict approval processes. The MHRA have assessed both vaccines that are available and approved them for use because they have a good safety record and are highly effective, with both vaccines offering a high level of protection from illness from two weeks after the first dose. The vaccines cannot give you coronavirus and will help keep you well if you come into contact with it – meaning you can continue to be there for the people that need us at this incredibly difficult time.
Your employer or a local vaccination team will make arrangements to ensure 100% of eligible staff are able to get vaccinated. If you haven’t had an invite yet, please talk your employer or get in touch using the email provided below.
The vaccine is our best defence against this virus, and the key to a return to normal life. It is important to remember that until more people are vaccinated, and the virus is in retreat, we must maintain our efforts to keep ourselves and those we work with safe. Even if you have been vaccinated, it is crucial that we all continue to follow all of the guidance on preventing the spread of the virus in the workplace, and outside of it.
As people who work directly with some of those who are most vulnerable, we have a collective duty both to protect ourselves for their sake, and to lead by example.
So please join us in taking this important step and get your COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are invited to. Thank you for your continued hard work for those who count on us.
Please email: Vaccinations.CV19@cambridgeshire.gov.uk if you have any questions or concerns.
