Gift yourself a life saving vaccine this Christmas Holiday

ALL those eligible for their free winter vaccines are being urged to come forward as soon as possible for their free jabs over the Christmas Holiday, as hospitalisations for flu and Covid continue to rise.
 
It is vital that all those in at risk groups; including those who are pregnant, younger children eligible for the free flu vaccine, the immunosuppressed and those aged over 50; come forward, if not already vaccinated, to give themselves the protection they need this winter and top up their immunity.
 
Relatives, friends and neighbours of those in at risk groups are being urged to remind those eligible to come forward for their vaccines to give the gift of the jab this Christmas Holiday.
 
Latest data published by NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows 8.27 people per 100,000 in Hospital for flu and 9.56 per 100,000 for Covid, an increase of 1.47 and 2.95, on last week.
 
It is also vital that frontline health and social care workers continue to come forward to not only give themselves the protection they need, but added protection for those they care for.
 
Covid restrictions kept flu at bay in previous seasons, but the ending of these and plunging temperatures in recent weeks has resulted in increased socialising indoors, which is why both viruses are on the rise.
 
The best form of defence continues to be the vaccine, and with sites open across the festive season it's the perfect opportunity to also remind those who are eligible to get the jab they need.
 
Appointments for the Covid Booster can now be booked through the NHS app, or on the NHS Booking System. People can also just turn up at 1 of the many Walk In Centres around the country and is a great way for family, friends, and neighbours to take advantage of a festive walk and get eligible people jabbed.
 
Those eligible for the flu jab will have already been contacted by their GP.
 
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay said:- "It is fantastic to see that millions of people have already been jabbed by hardworking NHS staff and volunteers, giving them the protection they need throughout winter and beyond. As we move into the festive holiday we can all draw on the spirit of Christmas and make sure our vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours are getting their immunity topped up to prevent them from serious illness. I know from when I got the jabs how quick and easy it is and I want to encourage all eligible people to come forward this Christmas."
 
National Director for Vaccinations and Screening Steve Russell said:- "Christmas time over the last few years has been uncertain and so this year in particular, everyone wants to enjoy the festivities with loved ones; the best protection against Covid and flu you can give yourself remains vaccinations. As the winter sets in, the latest data shows that far more people are in Hospital with flu now compared to last year, especially among under-fives, so if you haven't already, come forward and get your vaccines."
 
Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency Dr Jenny Harries said:- "Getting the flu vaccine and Covid Booster is the best way to avoid getting seriously ill this winter and will help protect our vital NHS services, which are under particularly severe pressures from Covid, flu and Strep A. We're seeing high rates of over 75s and children under 5 being admitted to Hospital for flu so no-one should delay coming forward. For most children the flu vaccine is a quick and easy nasal spray available through their GP Surgery. I would encourage everyone to help keep services and themselves running healthily as we enter 2023 by putting the flu vaccine and Covid Booster on their Christmas to do list."
 
The latest data shows that as of Wednesday 21 December 2022 19.1million flu jabs have been administered, and over 17 million autumn Covid Booster jabs given.
 
Vaccination teams from NHS England have visited every care home in the UK; over 15,000 homes in total; meaning around 9 in 10 care home residents have had the jabs they need to keep them protected over the coming months.
 

Merseyrail to run limited 45 minute service during 4 day strike action by network rail staff in January 2023

MERSEYRAIL will run a limited train service on:- Tuesday, 3 January, Wednesday, 4 January, Friday, 6 January, and Saturday, 7 January 2023, due to planned strikes by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union.

The Liverpool City Region rail network is affected by the UK-wide national walk out, as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from:- 02:00 on Tuesday, 3 January to 01:59, on Thursday, 5 January, and 02:00 on Friday, 6 January 2023, to 01:59 on Sunday, 8 January 2023.

As has been the case during previous strike days, the number of trains Merseyrail can run is limited by the number of Network Rail signalling and maintenance staff that are available. As a result, the operator will run a 45-minute service calling at all Stations on selected lines between:- 07:30 and 18:30, to help passengers make essential journeys.

As is normally the case during industrial action, there will be no rail replacement buses in operation. Those needing to travel outside the hours of service are advised to make alternative travel arrangements.

However, on Friday, 6 and Saturday, 7 January 2023, rail replacement buses will run on the Kirkby line between Kirkby and Moorfields, due to planned engineering works relating to the opening of Headbolt Lane Station in 2023.

A summary of services that will operate between:- 07:30 and 18:30, on Tuesday, 3 January, Wednesday, 4 January, Friday, 6 January and Saturday, 7 January 2023 is as follows:-

Chester and Ellesmere Port lines:- No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry. Trains will run every 45 minutes between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, calling at all Stations.

►   New Brighton line:- Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all Stations.

►   West Kirby line:- Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all Stations.

►   Southport line:- Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all Stations.

►   Hunts Cross line:- No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross.

►   Ormskirk line:- On Tuesday, 3 January and Wednesday, 4 January trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all Stations. On Friday, 6 January and Saturday, 7 January 2023, 2 trains will run per 45 minutes, calling at all Stations to support the increased number of passengers expected to travel on the line as a result of the Kirkby line being closed for engineering work.

►   Kirkby line:- On Tuesday, 3 January and Wednesday, 4 January 2023, trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all Stations. There will be no services on the Kirkby line, on Friday, 6 January and Saturday, 7 January 2023, as there will be planned engineering works as part of the construction of the new Headbolt Lane Station. A rail replacement bus service will run on the Kirkby line between 07:00 and 18:30, timetables will be available online at:- Merseyrail.Org, and at Stations closer to the date.

On Thursday, 5 January, train services will begin at approximately 07:00 A limited rail replacement bus service will be in operation from the busiest Stations prior to 07.00. Passengers are advised to visit the Merseyrail website for full details or speak to a member of Station staff.

On Sunday, 8 January a normal timetable will operate except for the Kirkby and Hunts Cross lines, which are affected by planned engineering work. Full details of the arrangements for these lines is available on the Merseyrail website. Passengers planning to travel on the Kirkby Line from 9 January onwards will also notice some changes to timetables, as preparations continue for the new fleet of trains. Full details will be available on Station posters and the Merseyrail website in due course.

Jane English, Acting Managing Director at Merseyrail, said:- "Merseyrail has worked closely with Network Rail to ensure we are able to run the best service possible on these strike days and allow passengers to make essential journeys. We would like to apologise for the disruption caused once again to our passengers as a result of the action being taken by Network Rail signallers and maintenance staff. We would remind those who are travelling on between Tuesday, 3 January and 7 January to plan their journeys in advance, that trains are likely to be very busy and bear in mind that Merseyrail services will not be operating any later than 18:30 on the affected days. Please be patient with us, we will get you where you need to be."

Passengers who normally require assistance to travel are advised to speak to a member of Station staff or contact Merseyrail's customer service team via the operator's website prior to making their journey.

Customers hoping to use the Merseyrail network to connect to onward journeys should check with the operators that they intend to travel with, as many train companies are not running services on:- Tuesday, 3 January, Wednesday, 4 January, Friday, 6 January and Saturday, 7 January 2023. Full timetables are available via the operator's website at:- Merseyrail.Org.