Published Wednesday 20 October 2021 at 13:15
Covid booster vaccinations for eligible people are starting to rollout across Blackburn with Darwen and the North West as the NHS prepares for Winter.
Texts allowing eligible people to arrange a top-up vaccine through the National Booking Service have started going out, with letters also being sent.
Those who have had their second vaccine at least six months ago and are eligible for the booster jab to increase their protection are being invited. Please keep your eye out for your text or invitation letter.
Those who are eligible for a booster include:
- those living in residential care homes for older adults
- all adults aged 50 years or over
- frontline health and social care workers
- all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and adult carers
- adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
Councillor Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said:
This is really welcome news that the boosters will start to be rolled out. Vaccination is our best way of protecting ourselves and others from Covid-19, and I would like to encourage everyone who is invited to get the booster vaccine to do so.
Booster doses are an important way of keeping the virus under control for the long term and will protect the most vulnerable through the winter months. Getting a top-up vaccine if you are invited to is the best way to protect yourself and the people you love.”
Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning for the North West, said:
It’s exciting to see the next phase of the Covid vaccination programme begin as booster jabs are rolled out across the North West.
The vaccination programme has already been a great success with more than 9.6 million vaccinations given across the region, part of 77 million in England.
As we head into winter, it’s important we don’t drop our guard so I would urge everyone who is invited via text or letter to come forward and get a booster vaccination.
Getting a top-up vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from Covid-19.”
The NHS will let people know when it’s their turn to have a booster dose. It’s important not to contact the NHS for one before then. Once they receive their invite, people will be able to book an appointment online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. People that can’t go online can book by phoning 119.
Booster jabs are effective for topping up protection for people who have had both of their jabs and are at least six months after their second dose.
Hospital hubs have already started vaccinating frontline health and care workers as well as identifying other eligible patients for their booster vaccine with GP-led local vaccination services already contacting eligible patients. More invites will be sent in the coming days and weeks.