VACCINATION sites are now open across Warrington offering walk-in appointments as part of a week-long push to increase protection against the Omicron variant.
The Week of Walk-ins initiative, which started yesterday, Monday 17 January runs until to Sunday 23 January, to raise awareness of how easy and convenient it is to get vaccinated and protected from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
Walk-in sites allow people to turn up to participating vaccine clinics without making an appointment and get either first, second or booster dose of the vaccine around their work and social commitments.
Many of the sites are able to give the vaccine to children aged 12 and over (the site will tell you if this is the case), meaning whole families can take advantage of the walk-in offer. Opening times vary and people are being urged to check the national site finder at www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab before attending.
Vaccines will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and those with appointments at participating clinics will be able to continue to attend at their time slot and receive their vaccine as planned.
Warrington Hospital, Orford Jubilee are just a few of the vaccination sites offering COVID-19 jabs without appointments this week and all but Warrington Hospital can offer vaccines to 12+.
Dr Andrew Davies, Clinical Chief Officer for Halton and Warrington Clinical Commissioning Groups is urging people to not delay getting vaccinated and to find a local, convenient walk-in site this week.
He said: “The vaccine is our best protection from the Omicron variant, especially the booster dose which tops-ups protection from the first two jabs. The booster is important even if you have had COVID-19 and so I urge everyone to come forward. As we continue the fight against the virus, I’d like to encourage everyone who’s not yet vaccinated or due a second or booster dose to please come forward; the sites will offer you a warm welcome. Find one of the many sites across Halton and Warrington available for walk-ins this week.”
Regional Director of Commissioning at NHS England and Improvement and Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in the North West, Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, added: “We know that people have busy lives but protecting yourself and your loved ones against the virus is vital at this time. Walk-in sites make it even more convenient for people to get vaccinated and with this in mind, we’ve been able to offer more walk-in sites across the region, as part of the national WOW Week of Walk-ins.
“In the North West, we have now vaccinated more than 14 million people, including 3.6 million booster – an incredible effort from NHS staff, volunteers and those who have come forward for their jab.”
All walk-in site details can be found using the site finder website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/
If anyone prefers to have an appointment, they can accept the offer that they will have received from their practice or they can book using the national booking service: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.
