Manchester’s Covid-19 death rate rises 300% as booster jab rollout increases
- 1,643 Mancunians have tested positive for covid in a week
- Death risk is 32 times higher in unvaccinated people, say ONS
- Booster jabs advised to give 'longer-term protection'
Mancunians are being advised to book a booster jab when possible after coronavirus deaths rose 300% in just one week.
Health minister Robin Swann says the Covid-19 booster vaccine rollout needs to accelerate to “provide vital and timely protection to individuals this winter”.
The NHS has been encouraging people who have been double vaccinated to get the booster to “improve the protection you have from your first two doses of the vaccine. It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19”.
Dr John Hughes, a retired Manchester GP, told NQ about his Pfizer booster experience.
He said: “I’ve had a little bit of a sore arm and feel slightly flu like, which seems to be the normal reaction some people get to Pfizer vaccine.
“I’m looking at that as a good thing because my immune system is kicking in and doing something.”
The UK Health Security Agency released data which shows that between 27 October and 2 November there were eight deaths in Manchester within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, a 300% increase compared to the previous seven days.
It said around 319,000 people in Manchester have had their second jab, nearly 57% of residents. This is 11% lower than the England average.
Dr Hughes said the Manchester figures were disappointing.
“I would be hoping more people would have had both vaccines now,” he said.
“There was a good uptake at the beginning as the elderly or vulnerable felt more worried to get covid.
“I think then as the age group dropped down there seemed to be more people who perhaps felt they were already immune because they had been exposed to it or they didn’t see the value of it.
“Plus, of course, the negative campaigns against the vaccine on the likes of social media.”
After Manchester saw many anti-vax protesters march as part of World Wide Rally For Freedom group, in September, more is being done to guide people to the NHS website.
Twitter is guiding users to the NHS when people search for hashtags such as #antivaccination.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says that since 2 January 2021 “the age adjusted risk of death involving COVID-19 was 32 times greater in unvaccinated compared with fully vaccinated people.”
If you have had both vaccinations over six months ago and are aged over 50 or have health issues that put you at risk, you are now advised to book your booster.
You can book a booster jab on the NHS website, for an appointment date and time at a vaccination centre or pharmacy. You could also, where available, go to a walk-in vaccination site near you.