THE target for giving every adult in England a booster jab has been brought forward over fears of a “tidal wave" of Omicron Covid cases.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in an address to the nation on Sunday evening, set a new deadline of jabbing everyone over 18 by the new year.
UPDATE: Further clinics added at Westridge
The mission to administer millions of jabs by December 31 will see 42 military planning teams deployed across every health region, extra vaccine sites and mobile units, extended clinic opening hours to allow people to be jabbed around the clock and at weekends, and the training of thousands more volunteer vaccinators.
The announcement comes as the UK Covid alert level was raised to Level 4, up from Level 3.
However, there have been huge problems for people trying to get a Covid booster on the Isle of Wight.
So, how do people get one?
The good news is tens of thousands of Islanders have already had their booster.
By December 2, 47,103 people had had a third jab to help protect them from coronavirus. That was before the booster bus helped swell numbers.
Those remaining can do the following:
- More appointments for the Isle of Wight are being added to the National Booking Service daily. Although additional appointment slots are booked up very quickly, checking regularly for updates is advised. Click here
- Alternatively call the National Booking Service on 119. It is open between 7am and 11pm daily.
- Your GP practice will contact you when you are eligible. Residents may be contacted by a different surgery to the one they usually go to. These sites are delivering booster doses and third doses for people who are immunosuppressed.
- The Island's mass vaccination centre is the Riverside Centre in Newport. Eligible people should receive a letter advising them of this route to book an appointment. The site is offering appointments for booster doses and first doses for children aged 12 – 17. It is also offering walk-in options for first and second doses.
- Look out for forthcoming announcements about walk-in centres and the mobile booster bus. The bus service was suspended this weekend due to adverse weather.
Those needing their first or second dose can walk-in here:
Riverside Vaccination Centre:
Wednesday, December 15, AstraZeneca first and second dose, 8am to 12.15pm.
Friday December 17, Pfizer first and second dose, 2pm to 5pm.
Westridge Centre, Ryde:
Open to anyone over 16 years of age for first dose vaccinations, and second dose vaccinations for Pfizer if it has been at least eight weeks since the first dose.
All clinics are 9am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm.
Thursday December 16, Friday December 17, Tuesday December 21, Wednesday December 22.
Following tonight's announcement that everyone over 18 will have received a COVID-19 booster by 31 December, we'd like to reassure you we'll have sufficient vaccines to achieve this target across Hampshire & Isle of Wight & ensure everyone eligible is as protected as possible
— Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (@HIOW_ICS) December 12, 2021
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