Local walk-in vaccination clinics in December

More walk-in and pop-up vaccination sessions are being held in Rochdale this month in response to the prime minister's recent pledge that everyone eligible in the UK will be offered a coronavirus booster vaccine by the end of the year.

The new Omicron variant of Covid-19 is already present and spreading in the borough. Recent studies indicate that although two doses of the vaccine offer some protection against the Omicron variant, the booster provides much more.

The council and its local NHS partners have been working to increase access to vaccinations before the end of the year so more people can get their jabs faster via more walk-in vaccination clinics and lots more appointments via GP clinics.

There are walk-in vaccination clinics running throughout December at Number One Riverside and Middleton Arena where residents can get their first, second or booster Pfizer vaccinations (if eligible). Details and dates are below.

There are also several pop-up clinics running offering first, second and booster Pfizer jabs as well as second AstraZeneca jabs.

• Deeplish Community Centre on Thursday 16 December 1pm - 3pm for Pfizer vaccinations (first, second and booster jabs) and AstraZeneca (second jabs).
• KYP on Monday 20 December 10am - 4pm for Pfizer vaccinations (first, second and booster jabs) and AstraZeneca (second jabs).
• KYP on Thursday 23 December 1pm - 5pm for Pfizer vaccinations (first, second and booster jabs) and AstraZeneca (second jabs).
• Hopwood Medical Centre on Tuesday 28 December 10am - 2pm for Pfizer vaccinations (first, second and booster jabs).
• Castlemere Community Centre on Thursday 30 December 1pm - 5pm for Pfizer vaccinations (first, second and booster jabs) and AstraZeneca (second jabs).

The sessions at Number One Riverside in Rochdale town centre and Middleton Arena are offering Pfizer first, second and booster jabs.

• ​​Pfizer booster for people aged 18 years and over if it has been at least 3 months since your second vaccine.
• First dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered for people aged 16 and over.
• Second dose of the Pfizer vaccine for people 18 years and over if it has been eight weeks or more since your first jab and for people 16-17 years if it has been twelve weeks or more since your first jab.

Walk-in vaccination clinics at Riverside are being held every day between Saturday 18 December and New Year's Eve (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

• For more information and times of the sessions at Number One Riverside click here.

Walk-in vaccination clinics at Middleton Arena are being held every day between Monday 20 December and New Year's Eve (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

• For more information and times of the sessions at Middleton Arena click here.

Walk-in vaccination clinics at Bowlee Park Sports Centre offering Pfizer first, second and booster jabs are being held on Friday 17 December and Wednesday 22 December.

• For more information and times of the sessions at Bowlee Park Sports Centre click here.

 

All walk-in and pop-up clinics are for residents registered with a GP in the borough of Rochdale.

No appointment is needed but people that are booked in elsewhere should stick to their existing appointments.

If you're attending for your second vaccine or booster, it is important that you try to take your blue vaccination card with you.

If possible please have your NHS number with you - you can find this at www.nhs.uk

Details of all vaccination clinics and eligibility criteria for first, second and booster jabs at each can be found at:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchtype=text&searchvalue=vaccine

 

 

The council’s cabinet member for health and deputy leader, Councillor Daalat Ali, said: “This is timely reminder to stay vigilant and take care over the festive season. The messages are clear - make sure you and everyone you are meeting is fully vaccinated and that you’re testing regularly, especially before meeting up with friends and family as well as all the usual sensible precautions such as handwashing and ensuring a flow of fresh air when indoors. We all need to play our part to protect ourselves, our family, friends and the community from the Omicron variant.”

Kuiama Thompson, director of public health said: “We are entering a crucial phase in the pandemic so it’s really important we all do our bit to stay safe and protect each other. Whilst the growing number of vaccines being carried out gives us more hope, cases still remain high in Rochdale and are rapidly increasing so we must continue to do all we can.

"The booster programme has now been widened so that anyone aged 18 and over who had their second vaccine more than three months ago can now get boosted. That offers vital defence against the new Omicron variant as evidence clearly shows the increased protection it offers. I urge everyone to come forward for their booster when they can, get tested regularly and follow the guidance. It’s crucial that we identify any cases of the new variant as quickly as possible to keep the community safe and protect our loved ones. Enjoy the festivities, but take care and remember at all times that Covid-19 is a present no one wants this Christmas.”