BHF comment
BHF joins campaign to boost uptake of Covid-19 vaccine
Published:
27 February 2021
Published:
27 February 2021
Alongside 13 other leading health charities, we are today joining the Government and NHS in encouraging all people with long-term health conditions and their carers to get the Covid-19 (coronavirus) vaccine.
The charity coalition aims to encourage people in Cohort 6 to protect themselves from the coronavirus by taking up their vaccine offer once they receive it. People in this cohort have been receiving invitations since 15 February to come forward for the vaccination.
Cohort 6 covers people aged 16 to 64 with certain conditions identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as being at higher clinical risk from Covid-19. This includes people with heart and circulatory diseases and those with diabetes.
Carers who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole of primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of complications from Covid-19, also fall under Cohort 6.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, our Associate Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist, said: “If you have a heart or circulatory condition, the best thing you can do for your health right now is to have the coronavirus vaccine as soon as you receive your invitation.
“We know that if you have heart and circulatory diseases, you are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid-19. Having the vaccine not only reduces that risk, but it can also protect those around you by making it less likely that you will spread the virus to others.”
Incredible success
As the campaign was launched, Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary, praised the NHS, health and care professionals, local partners and volunteers for the “incredible success” of the UK’s vaccination programme.
He said: “The pace of the roll out to date shows what we can achieve when we pull together as one UK, and having the support of the charities who work every day to support the very people we are reaching out to in cohort 6 is a shot in the arm for the campaign.
“Their help, encouragement and links with communities next in line for the jab will help make sure everyone can get access to the life saving protection the vaccine provides, and help protect those with underlying conditions and their carers.”
Other charities who are joining us in supporting the campaign are the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust; British Liver Trust; British Lung Foundation / Asthma UK; Carers UK; Diabetes UK; Epilepsy Action; Kidney Care UK; Lupus UK; MacMillan; Mencap; MS Society; Sickle Cell Society; and Terrence Higgins Trust.