THOUSANDS of Covid-19 boosters will be available on the Isle of Wight this weekend as a new booster bus is available for walk-ins.

The bus will visit the Island for an initial four days from today (Thursday).

With the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) updating its guidance in response to the newly discovered Omicron variant, more people than ever will be able to access a vaccine or booster.

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The booster bus will visit the Island at the following locations and timings:

Thursday, December 2

  • Sandown Fire Station, 4-5 East Yar Rd, Sandown, PO36 9AY, from 9am - 4pm

Friday, December 3

  • Moa Place Car Park, Freshwater PO40 9AN, from 9am - 4pm

Saturday, December 4

  • The Heights Leisure Centre, Broadway, Sandown, PO36 9ET, from 9am - 4pm

Sunday, December 5

  • Central Car Park, Ventnor, PO38 1LU, from 9am - 4pm (Update: Venue changed due to predicted high winds)

Plans are being scaled up, to ensure that everyone aged 18 and over is offered a booster dose by the end of January.

Between Thursday, December 2 and Sunday, December 5, those who are eligible for a booster jab from cohorts 1-10 (anyone aged 40 and over) who received their second dose six months ago will be able to walk in and get their booster.

Dr Matt Nisbet, Clinical Lead for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “The NHS is working at extreme pace to respond to this new variant.

“For now, if you are over 40 and it is six months since your second dose, you can attend one of our ‘booster buses’ to maximise your protection against the virus.”

Jane Ansell, Senior Responsible Officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, said:

 “Teams across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight continue to do all they can to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are delighted to be able to offer eligible people the choice of attending one of our mobile booster buses, offering greater access to the vaccine.”

We've been in Sandown this morning...

 For the latest information on the vaccination programme, visit the NHS’ COVID-19 pages here at www.nhs.uk.