‘The booster is not just nice to have – it’s important protection ahead of what we know will be a challenging winter’
Covid-19 booster jabs are to be offered at walkin clinics across Staffordshire for people aged over 50, frontline health workers and those with certain health conditions. Phil Corrigan reports...
COVID-19 booster jabs will be available at a series of walk-in clinics across Staffordshire this month.
Eligible people will have the opportunity to receive their top-up dose of the coronavirus vaccine during the sessions, without having to book an appointment.
First and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will also be available for anyone aged 16 and over, while those aged 12 to 15 will be able to get their single dose of the Pfizer jab.
People can get a booster jab if they are aged 50 or over (or 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk from Covid-19) and if it has been at least six months, or 182 days, since their second dose.
Those with a condition that puts them at higher risk should receive a letter reminding them to have their booster dose, which they should bring to the walk-in clinic. Anyone who has not had a letter, but thinks they should be eligible, should contact their GP. Frontline health and social care workers can also get a booster dose. They should bring proof of employment to the walk-in clinic. Dr Johnny Mcmahon, left, cabinet support member for public health and integrated care at Staffordshire County Council, urged all eligible people to get their booster jab.
He said: “Walk-in vaccine clinics make it even easier to get vaccinated, so it’s great that more residents will be able to get the
doses of the vaccine they need at these upcoming clinics.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of getting vaccinated and protected against this awful virus as soon as possible.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way for residents to protect themselves against Covid-19 now and against its long-term effects.”
More than a million people across the Midlands have now had a booster dose, but another million have yet to receive theirs.
The latest evidence from Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies shows that protection against symptomatic disease can fall to 45 per cent six months after the second dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine, and to 65 per cent for the Pfizer vaccine.
Alison Tonge, the NHS England
and NHS Improvement director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said: “NHS staff are making it as easy as possible for people to get their top-up vaccination in the West Midlands.
“People who are eligible can now go online, find their nearest site and go and get their booster without delay.
“The booster is not just nice to have – it is really important protection ahead of what we know will be a challenging winter.
“So, if you are eligible, please do check the site finder and go get your jab.”
People who are eligible can also book an appointment at www.nhs. uk/covid-vaccination, or by calling 119.