Staffordshire health chiefs are urging young people aged 16 and over to get their Covid vaccine when invited.

The Government announced this week that the vaccine will soon be made available to all 16- and 17-year-olds following recommendations from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The NHS will now prepare to roll out the vaccine to this age range and will announce more details in due course.

Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, Dr Johnny McMahon, urged young people to not delay in getting their jab.

He said: "The successful rollout of the vaccination programme has weakened the link between catching coronavirus and being hospitalised among the adult population, so it's great news that young people will soon be able to get more protection against this virus.

"Even though the risk of getting seriously ill from Covid is low for this age range, getting the vaccine will give them increased protection and boost general levels of immunity among the population, reducing the ability of the virus to spread and cause serious illness among our communities now and as we head into winter.

"Please keep checking the NHS website for updates and, as soon as you're able to, book your Covid-19 vaccine."

The Government also announced that there are currently no plans to offer the vaccine to under 16s with no underlying health conditions.