Coronavirus information


COVID-19 is an illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

Below is some simple advice about what you can do to protect yourself from coronavirus and to support your community to stay well.

Access alternative formats and translations on coronavirus advice and guidance here.

You can also find answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccination and how this is working in Sefton on our website here.

  

Latest updates

The latest national updates on coronavirus from the Public Health England & the Department of Health and Social Care can be found at: gov.uk/coronavirus 

The latest NHS advice, including information on the COVID-19 vaccination service is available here: nhs.uk/coronavirus

 

Coronavirus measures

The Prime Minister has announced the government's 'Living with COVID' plan. You can read more about this here.

Find information on support and FAQs from Sefton Council here.

 

There are simple actions we can do to keep on protecting each other

  • Get vaccinated

  • Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside

  • Consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces

  • Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms, and stay at home if positive

COVID-19 vaccination programme

People aged 16 and over can get their vaccine at a walk-in site or by booking an appointment by phone or online:

If you no longer need your appointment slot, please remember to cancel it so that others may use it and vaccines don’t go to waste. Thank you.

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 12-15

The school immunisation services is offering COVID-19 vaccinations in secondary schools. You can find out more about this on the Mersey Care website here. If you have any questions or need any support you can contact your local immunisation team at: 0151 247 6130.

12-15 year olds can now also get a first dose at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, or book using the national booking page here: uk/covid-vaccination. They can get a second dose if it's been 12 weeks since their first dose.

Children aged 12 to 15 who are at high risk from COVID-19 infection, or live with someone who is immunosuppressed, can get their second dose earlier, eight weeks after their first, and a further ‘booster’ dose from three months (91 days) after their second.

Children in this age group who have had a severely weakened immune system can get a third primary dose from eight weeks after their second dose, then receive a booster from three months (91 days) later. Visit www.nhs.uk/covid-booster for more information.

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 

Children in this age group are eligible for two doses of the vaccine.

The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119.

There are also convenient vaccine walk-ins across the country which families can find through the NHS grab a jab website.

COVID-19 booster vaccines

Booster vaccines help to improve the protection given from the first 2 doses of the vaccine. Find out if you are eligible and book an appointment or find a walk-in site offering booster jabs here.

Spring booster

People aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, and those with weakened immune systems will be offered a spring booster of COVID-19 vaccine. Read more here.

Third primary doses for immunosuppressed people

Some people are eligible for a third primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because they are immunosuppressed, either because of an underlying health condition or a long-term chronic condition where medication affects their immunity. This third primary dose is different from a booster as set out above.

Clinicians are identifying patients who may need a third dose because they are immunosuppressed. Many people will also have received a direct letter from the NHS advising that they may be eligible, which they can use to discuss options with their GP or consultant if they have not done so already.

Patients who have not yet been contacted but think they are eligible should speak to their consultant or GP. 

Tell the NHS about COVID-19 vaccinations you've had abroad

This service enables you to book an appointment to show evidence for any COVID-19 vaccinations you've had outside of England. This is so the NHS can securely update your vaccination record.

You can book an appointment to do this at your nearest available site by calling 119 or clicking here. 

More information

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine on the NHS website, click here.

You can also find answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccination on our website here.

Coronavirus symptoms

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults can include:

  • a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling tired or exhausted
  • an aching body
  • a headache
  • a sore throat
  • a blocked or runny nose
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea
  • feeling sick or being sick

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.


Contact the NHS 111 coronavirus service if:

  • you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
  • you feel breathless and it's getting worse
  • your symptoms get worse and you're not sure what to do

Please visit 111.nhs.uk online in the first instance. Only call 111 if you need help urgently. BSL users can use the NHS 111 video interpreter service. 

DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. 


People at higher risk from coronavirus 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) can make anyone seriously ill. But for some people, the risk is higher.

There are 2 levels of higher risk:

  • high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable)
  • moderate risk (clinically vulnerable)

You can read more about these levels and who is at higher risk on the NHS website here.

Testing 

Click here for national guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available.

 

Cases

The data and statistics on COVID-19 cases is compiled by Public Health England, in the COVID-19 dashboard available here. 

The MSOA (Middle Layer Super Output Area) map allows you to type in a postcode to see how many cases there are in areas of around 7,000 people.

 

Need help and support?

In Sefton if you need help for you or someone in your household, we recommend that you call Sefton Council on 0345 140 0845 or fill in their online form to ask for support. Find out more here.  

Other organisations providing support and information

There is a wide range of often independent and charitable organisations who offer advice, resources and support for you and the people you care for.

These organisations often specialise in providing tailored information for people with specific communications or information requirements relating to things like disability, ethnicity, gender or age. Click here for a list of some of these useful organisations. 


Health and wellbeing

Click here for information and resources on health and wellbeing and coronavirus. 


Alternative formats and translations

Access alternative formats and translations on coronavirus advice and guidance here.