Dozens of walk-in vaccine sites open in North West in run up to new year
It comes as there's a big jump in the number of young people getting their first jab
People living in the North West can ‘grab a jab’ at more than 80 walk-in sites in the run up to New Year’s Eve as the NHS makes it easy and convenient for people to get protected from the Omicron variant.
Vaccination sites including pharmacies, shopping centres and sport venues have extended their opening times giving people more opportunities to get vaccinated around their busy festive schedules.
Rates Hall in Manchester Town Hall, Charter Walk Shopping Centre in Burnley, Totally Wicked Rugby Stadium in St Helens and Vicars Cross Vaccination Centre in Chester are some of the sites across the region offering walk-in jabs over the festive period.
Not all sites will be open every day and it’s advised to check opening times before you attend using the NHS grab a jab webpage.
Through December, more than 80 additional hyper-local pop up vaccine clinics have also been set up in general practices, pharmacies and community venues, some of them for just a few days and others running to the end of the year and beyond.
Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning and Senior Responsible Officer for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the North West, said: “As the NHS continues to protect as many people as possible from the new Omicron variant, we’re making it easier than ever for people to get vaccinated.
“Those eligible for either their first, second or booster dose can grab a jab at a variety of walk-in sites across the region that are open this week.
“More than 13.5 million people have now been vaccinated across the region including more than 3.2 million booster jabs – a fantastic effort to protect our communities from the virus.”
Those who prefer to book an appointment, can do so using the national booking service or by calling 119.
The NHS has invited people who have a vaccination booking for the new year to bring it forward in a bid to increase protection against the virus. If people do change their appointment or attend a walk-in sites instead, it’s advised to cancel your original booking to make sure someone else can get their life-saving jab.