A number of walk-in vaccine clinics will be offering the Covid-19 booster to eligible people in Staffordshire.

The booster programme is open to people aged 50 and over who have had both initial doses of the vaccine and had their second dose more than six months ago. This also applies to people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk from coronavirus.

Booster jabs will be available at the following upcoming walk-in clinics:

- Kingston Centre, Stafford: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday and Sunday, 12pm-4pm

- Newcastle Fire Station, Newcastle-under-Lyme: 27 October, 10.30am to 2.30pm

- Rising Brook Fire Station, Stafford: 28 October, 10.30am to 2.30pm

The Covid-19 booster vaccine will help improve the protection provided by the first two doses of the vaccine and give people longer term protection and minimise the risk of become seriously ill from coronavirus this winter.

Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, Dr Johnny McMahon, urged everyone to take advantage of the booster vaccine when it was their turn.

He said: "Getting your vaccines is the best way to protect yourself from Covid-19 and as the name suggests, the booster vaccine offers a timely top-up to your long term protection against the virus, and ensures the best possible protection this winter for those who had their second dose more than six months ago. If you become eligible for your booster jab please take up the offer as soon as possible to protect yourself and others."

The Covid-19 booster vaccine is available to the following groups:

- People aged 50 and over

- People who live and work in care homes

- Frontline health and social care workers

- People aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19

- People aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from Covid-19

- People aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

- People who are pregnant and in one of the above eligible groups

People can attend a walk-in clinic offering the booster or book their booster jab online once they are told they are eligible by the NHS.

Steve Fawcett, GP and Medical Director for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: "We would urge everyone who is eligible for a COVID booster vaccine to get their jab as soon as they can.

"We know that protection from the vaccine does drop over time, and the booster vaccination will give people at greatest risk important extra protection, which will be particularly important as winter approaches."

The NHS launched the booster programme on 16 September, and more than 765,000 booster doses have been given so far in the Midlands. Six million people have already been invited by text, email and letter encouraging them to book online through the National Booking Service.

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