PUBLIC health leaders at Warrington are urging local people to get “winter strong” by getting the COVID-19 vaccine before the National Booking Service (NBS) comes to an end.
The last date to book a COVID-19 seasonal vaccine on the NBS is expected to be Thursday December 14. Eligible people in Warrington who haven’t yet had their vaccine are being encouraged to come forward now, to protect themselves, their family and friends this winter.
If you are eligible for the vaccine, you should have received a letter or text to remind you to book your appointment. To check if you are eligible, you can also visit nhs.uk/covid-19 for the full list of people who can book their vaccine appointment.
Over the next three weeks, more than 400,000 bookable appointments will be available for those eligible in the North West, to receive the latest dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the flu vaccine.
When booking the COVID booster, people should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.
The borough council’s cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, said: “Getting vaccinated is our best protection against serious illness from COVID-19 and flu. The vaccine not only gives you extra protection to help avoid a nasty illness but also helps to reduce the risk of passing on the virus to someone else.
“No one wants to be ill at this time of year, and we all want to do all we can to keep our communities healthy throughout the winter months – particularly our most vulnerable residents.
“The vaccine is there to protect you, so if you are eligible for a booster vaccine with the NBS programme or a flu vaccine, please make an appointment as soon as possible – don’t put it off!”
All eligible adults can book their vaccinations by visiting nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations, on the NHS App or by calling 119. Some pharmacies and other vaccine services offer walk-in clinics and people can search for their nearest location on the NHS website.
Although the last NBS booked appointments will be on December 15, some COVID vaccinations may continue to be offered through walk-in and outreach clinics after that date and may also be offered to people who become newly immunosuppressed after the programme ends.
Visit nhs.uk/covid-19 to find out more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, including if you’re eligible and how to get it.
The following people can get the NHS seasonal COVID-19 booster in Warrington this year:
• All residents aged 65 years old and over
• Those living in a care home for older adults
• Residents aged 6 months to 64 years old who are in clinical risk groups identified in the government’s Immunisation Green Book
• Frontline health or social care worker
• Carers aged 16 to 64 years old and staff working in care homes for older adults
• Residents aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
