Bedford Borough stands with Ukraine

Bedford Borough has a long history of being open and welcoming to migrants and refugees. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the desperate situation in Ukraine and we are ready and willing to welcome and support families fleeing the country.

We will do all we can to support organisations working in the UK and abroad to help.

A statement from Mayor Dave Hodgson:

“The situation in Ukraine is appalling and the people of that proud country are suffering untold hardship. I am though proud of Bedford Borough’s long standing reputation of supporting people fleeing conflicts around the world. Once again our local communities are stepping up to support people in this terrible situation. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Ukrainians who arrive in our Borough.”

Bedford Borough Council has created a webpage to provide information for Ukrainians and explains how Bedford Borough residents can help.

www.bedford.gov.uk/ukraine 

COVID-19 Spring Boosters

COVID-19 has not gone away and rates in Bedford Borough are currently extremely high. We would encourage everyone to remain cautious. The spring booster programme is critical in preventing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 – it is very important that anyone who is eligible for a spring booster comes forward for their vaccination.

To find out about vaccination appointments, walk-in sessions and further information across Bedford Bedford visit www.blmkccg.nhs.uk/drop-in

Spring Boosters

In February, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised a spring dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for:

• adults aged 75 years and over • residents in care homes for older adults
• individuals aged 12 years and over who have a weakened immune system

The NHS will contact those who are eligible to make a spring booster appointment, so people should wait until they hear from the NHS. The NHS will prioritise those whose clinical need is greatest, as it has throughout, starting with those who have had a bigger gap since their last dose, then working through the cohort to invite others who have waited less time. Everyone who is eligible will be offered a top up between three and six months over the Spring and early Summer.

5 – 11 year olds

Following Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance, we are currently vaccinating 5-11 year old children in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who are clinically extremely vulnerable or live in a household with immuno-suppressed occupants. During the Easter holidays we will be widening this programme to include all 5 – 11 year old children during family friendly sessions. This will mean that anyone in the family who needs a 1^st, 2^nd, booster or Spring booster can accompany the child and be vaccinated at the same time. Plans are underway to hold these in large vaccinations  centres, children’s centres and libraries across the region. Please go to the BLMK website when timings and venues will be uploaded as soon as they are confirmed.

To help support children with their feelings about needles and prepare for a vaccination you may wish to visit British Psychological Society who have some advice guidance for parents and carers.