Covid and whooping cough jabs plea across city

Care home residents and those over 75 are being urged to have the Covid jab

Wolverhampton residents eligible for springtime Covid vaccinations have been urged to have their jabs.

Invitations have been sent by the city council to care home residents, anyone over the age of 75 and those with a weakened immune system.

The latest phase of the Covid-19 vaccination programme has now started following guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

"Covid-19 rates remain low, but the virus is still circulating and can still cause severe illness among those most at risk,” said John Denley, the city’s director of Public Health.

Expectant mothers have also been urged to have their jab against whooping cough as cases continue to rise across the city.

The condition, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes which spreads easily.

At the end of February, across England, there were 858 new laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis reported to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Babies under six months are at increased risk of complications from whooping cough which can include breathing difficulties, dehydration, pneumonia, or seizures, the city council said.

The offer is open to women between the 16th and 32nd week of pregnancy.

"The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta and provide protection for them until they are old enough to be routinely vaccinated against whooping cough at eight weeks old,” said Sally Roberts, chief nursing officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board.