THE Mayor of Bolton has received her booster jab - and is urging the community to get theirs.

Following her visit to Tonge Moor Health Centre, Cllr Linda Thomas explained how important it was to encourage those eligible to get their booster jab.

According to NHS advice, the booster jabs are expected to help provide added protection for those most at risk of Covid-19, six months after their second vaccine.

Cllr Thomas said: “People might not realise or be aware how available it is, when they can get their booster jab, and where to go.

“It’s important to not overload the NHS and our hospitals. They have been brilliant, and we owe them our lives.”

As we head into winter and the Christmas period, this has been seen as another important step to ease pressure on the NHS.

As of November 5, the uptake for boosters for eligible people was 53.4 per cent, with Greater Manchester’s average 52.9 per cent. Invites rolled out in September, sent out based on eligibility and when people received their second dose.

Cllr Thomas added: “I thought I would have to wait until next week, but there are walk-in centres available. We all want to people to have a nice Christmas, and this is one of the things we can do to look out for each other.”

Individuals are eligible for a booster dose if they were vaccinated in the first phase of the vaccination programme and received their second dose at least six months ago.

This includes residents of older adult care homes, frontline health and social care workers, all adults aged 50 and over, all adults aged 16-49 with underlying health conditions, their adult carers, and adult household contacts of immuno-suppressed individuals. People who are pregnant and in an eligible group can also get a booster dose.

Walk-in booster jabs are being offered at Breightmet Health Centre, Hootons Pharmacy at BWFC and Horwich RMI. Bookings can be made online via https://bit.ly/3nZCOD2. The National Booking System will now allow someone to pre-book their booster appointment a month before they are eligible.