This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Health charities back vaccines drive for those at risk
Leading UK health charities are encouraging people with underlying conditions including cancer, diabetes and heart disease to come forward for a coronavirus vaccine.
The charities, including Mencap, Diabetes UK and Lupus UK, have asked those with underlying medical conditions, their carers, and those with learning disabilities on their GP register, to book a vaccination to protect themselves and those around them from coronavirus.
The charities who signed the open letter are among 22 who have joined together in partnership to reassure those they support about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
People in cohort 6 have been prioritised for the vaccine because they have conditions that mean they are more likely to become seriously unwell from coronavirus. More than half of those in this group have already received their first dose of the vaccine and it’s hoped that the charities’ letter - alongside text messages from the NHS - will help to increase take up further among those in this at-risk group.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The backing of the charities who work every day to support those who are entitled to a jab as part of cohort 6 is a great boost for the vaccine rollout and shows what we can achieve when we pull together.
“This open letter is a hugely important way to reassure those with underlying health conditions, and their carers, about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. The charities’ support for this national vaccine effort is invaluable in encouraging more people to come forward and helping us to save lives.”
Underlying health conditions faced by people in cohort 6 include chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, liver disease and neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and epilepsy, stroke, vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression due to a health condition or treatment, asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, morbid obesity, severe mental illness, as well as sickle cell, lupus and those on GP learning disability registers.
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