16 and 17 year olds across Cornwall invited to get their Covid jab
It comes after 300 youngsters got their vaccinations as they left Boardmasters
All 16 and 17 year olds across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can now have the their Covid-19 jab.
The Stithians Showground and Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, are already running walk-in clinics for anyone who has yet to have a first dose of the vaccine between 9am and 6pm Monday to Saturday and between noon and 6pm on Sundays.
Pharmacists from Reeds will also be offering anyone 16 years old and over with Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines between 2pm and 6pm from Friday 27 August until Sunday 29 August at the St John’s Methodist Church, Bodmin Road, St Austell.
16 and 17 year olds begun to receive letters last week, inviting them to come to their nearest walk-in centre with some already receiving invitations from their GP and taking up the offer.
Details of the nearest centre for this age group can be found through the ‘grab a jab’ NHS online walk-in finder, with more sites becoming available every day.
Tracey Hembrough, from the Atlantic Medical Group, and her team vaccinated nearly 300 festival-goers - most of them aged between 16 and 18 years old - as they left the five-day Boardmasters Festival on Monday.
The nurse partner said: "We had a fantastic response to the vaccination van and more than 290 people took the opportunity to have the jab.
“Some of those we vaccinated had come as far as Aberdeen and Edinburgh, and were really keen to have their COVID vaccination.
“It was really good to see people taking steps to protect themselves and also their loved ones, friends and people living in the county.
Iain Davidson, chief pharmacist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust clinical lead at the vaccination centres, said: “We have already vaccinated nearly 2,000 of the 12,000 16 to 17 year olds and it great to seeing them turning up so enthusiastically. We’re really keen to make sure everyone within this age group is vaccinated ahead of the start of the new school year.
“You don’t need an appointment just come along to the vaccination centre between 9am and 6pm Monday to Saturday and noon to 6pm on a Sunday and grab a jab.
“We’d also like to take the opportunity to remind people that having both doses will give you the best protection. We’re especially keen to remind those aged 40 to 49 to come along and get their second dose."
Second doses are also available at all the walk-in clinics. Please continue to check the NHS Kernow website for the latest details about vaccination sites.