With the number of people in the UK now estimated to be suffering from 'long Covid' reaching 2 million, people in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to get vaccinated to help protect themselves.

The Office for National Statistics estimates that long Covid is adversely affecting the day to day activities of 1.4 million people, around 7 in 10 of those who reported having it. A total of 398,000 say their ability to undertake day to day activities has been "limited a lot". 
 
Fatigue is the most common symptom - experienced by 55% of those with self reported long Covid – followed by 32% with shortness of breath, 23% with a cough and 23% with muscle ache. 
 
The UK Health Security Agency has previously said that people who have had at least 1 or 2 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were less likely to develop symptoms of long Covid after infection compared with unvaccinated people. 
 
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We know that the vaccine is the best defence we have against Covid-19, and with 2 million people suffering the after effects of the virus in the form of long Covid, it remains important that people take every precaution to protect themselves – and that includes getting vaccinated. 
 
"We have clinics operating throughout Wolverhampton offering both walk in and bookable appointments, so if you are eligible for a jab, please take up the offer. 
 
"Meanwhile, if you are suffering from long Covid, or are concerned about your recovery from Covid-19, you should visit Your COVID Recovery or speak to your GP for help and advice." 
 
Further information about long Covid is available at NHS Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group. 
 
For a full list of local vaccination centres, please visit NHS. To book an appointment in advance, please visit Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or call 119.