Two years on since the NHS delivered the world’s first covid jab, kickstarting the most successful vaccine programme in our history, health leaders in Wirral are calling on the public to get boosted ahead of Christmas.
The autumn campaign, which started just three months ago has seen over 750,000 autumn doses delivered across Cheshire and Merseyside and is the latest phase of the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in NHS history, aimed at boosting the protection of those most vulnerable from becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19.
Anyone aged 50 and over, pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems, unpaid carers and frontline health and social care workers are eligible for an autumn booster dose, as long as it has been three months since their last dose of the vaccine.
The NHS in Wirral is making the vaccine as accessible as possible in the run up to Christmas, with a range of pop up and mobile clinics taking the vaccine out into communities, alongside established sites run by general practice and community pharmacy teams in other community locations.
Prof Rowan Pritchard-Jones, Medical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, has urged people to come forward for their vaccine ahead of the Christmas and New Year period.
He said: “With temperatures dropping and Christmas fast approaching, now is the ideal time to get vaccinated to ensure you have the best protection against serious illness from covid.
“I encourage anyone eligible that has yet to take up the autumn booster offer, or even the offer of a first or second dose, to come forward as soon as possible. The vaccine is the best protection for yourself and your loved ones. Don’t let your festive celebrations be spoiled by illness.”
Wirral’s Director of Public Health, Dave Bradburn, said:
“Huge numbers of people of local people have had their autumn dose of the covid vaccine and can look forward to Christmas knowing that they have done the right thing to help protect themselves, as well as their friends and loved ones.
For anyone still wishing to get their vaccinations, there are lots of convenient clinics across Wirral, so making sure your vaccinations are up to date couldn’t be easier.”
It’s never too late to get any dose of the vaccine, if you’re yet to have a first, second or booster dose, you can come forward at any time, to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming ill with COVID-19.
Here are the locations across Wirral where people can walk in and grab a jab without an appointment ahead of Christmas:
Wednesday 14 December
• Seacombe Children’s Centre, St Paul’s Road, Wallasey, 2.30 – 6pm (ages 12 and over)
Thursday 15 December
• The Little Centre, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, 9am – 12.30pm (ages 12 and over)
Friday 16 December
• St Andrew’s Church, Raymond Way, Noctorum, 2.30 – 6pm (ages 12 and over)
• Cherry Tree Centre, Liscard, Wallasey, 10am – 4pm (ages 5 and over)
Tuesday 20 December
• Heart of Egremont, Wallasey, 2.30 – 6pm (ages 12 and over)
The Living Well bus will also be taking COVID-19 vaccinations and health checks out into local communities on:
Saturday 17 December
• Birkenhead town centre, Catherine Street (outside Primark), 10.30am – 4pm (ages 5 and over)
• Woodside Christmas markets, Woodside Ferry Terminal, Birkenhead, 10.30am – 4pm (ages 5 and over)
These are all in addition to the walk-in service offered at the Clatterbridge and Birkenhead Medical Building vaccination centres, whose opening hours in the run-up to Christmas are as follows:
Birkenhead Medical Building Vaccination Centre
• Monday 12 December to Friday 16 December, 12-6pm
• Saturday 17 December, 9am-1pm
• Monday 19 December to Thursday 22 December, 12-6pm
The walk-in service is for those aged 12 and over. Appointments for children aged 5-11 years old can be booked in advance using the National Booking Service
Clatterbridge Vaccination Centre
• Wednesday 14 December, 11.15am – 6.45pm (ages 5 and over)
• Wednesday 21 December, 11.15am – 6.45pm (ages 5 and over)
1st and 2nd doses and booster doses will all be available at all clinics, and from the Living Well bus.
Find the latest Wirral health news and updates by following Keep Wirral Well on Twitter or Facebook.
You can book a vaccination appointment on the National Booking Service: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or you can find a local walk-in site, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/.
