Booster jabs in North West top one million

A Covid vaccine

More than one million Covid booster jabs have been given in the North West in just over six weeks as the NHS booster campaign continues to protect the country against the virus.

The region reached the one million milestone following another bumper week in which 202,376 booster doses were given (25 to 31 October). It compares to 525,000 first doses given in the North West within the first six weeks of the initial roll out.

A growing number of walk-in sites are now also administering crucial booster vaccines, making it easier and more convenient for those eligible to get their jab.

People eligible for their booster can use the NHS online walk-in finder to find the most convenient site to get their top-up without an appointment.

This adds to the existing offer through the National Booking Service with a further 1.6 million invitations going out nationally last week as more people become eligible, six months on from their second dose.

More than half of those eligible for the booster in the North West – 58% – have now had their vital top up jab as winter arrives.

More than 10.8 million vaccines have already been delivered in the North West since the vaccination programme began and three-quarters of those aged 12+ have now had at least one dose of the vaccine.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning and Senior Responsible Officer for the Vaccination Programme in the North West, said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see so many people coming forward for their booster vaccine. We know that this extra dose will extend the protection people already have from their first two doses and will also help to protect the people around them, which is going to be absolutely vital as we go into winter.

“Our teams are working hard to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible once it’s been six months since their second dose and I’d urge people who are eligible not to wait, but to get booked in for their booster vaccine straight away.”

People will be offered a booster dose no earlier than six months after completion of their primary vaccine course. This includes those who are:

• living in residential care homes for older adults
• aged 50 years or over
• frontline health and social care workers
• aged 16-49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 (as set out in the green book), and adult carers
• household contacts (aged 16 or over) of immunosuppressed individuals.

To book a booster vaccine, eligible people can visit www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119.

The NHS site finder website is being regularly updated with sites able to offer walk-in booster vaccines.