BOLTON is to launch its first ever round the clock vaccination clinic in a bid to make it easier for people to protect themselves from the Covid variant Omicron.

Health bosses have again issued a plea for people to get their booster jabs to protect themselves from the virus as they ramp up the vaccination programme.

Teams are vaccinating thousands everyday, with sometimes 5,000 people being jabbed a day. And thanks to the huge effort people are being seen to quickly.

Bolton's first 24-hour vaccination clinic will be launched by Cohens Chemist, where pharmacists and medics will be vaccinating people straight through the day and night from Thursday, December 23 from 6am to 6am on Friday, December 24 at Nautica House, next to Waters Meeting Health Centre

They will then continue vaccinating on Christmas Eve from 10am to 6.30pm.

This will be in addition to clinics at Nautica House from Monday, December 20 to Wednesday, December 22.

And many sites have extended their opening hours in response to the Government’s announcement that all over-18s can now get a booster three months after their second dose.

Other additional pop-up clinics have been organised, and the vaccination bus will be vising Bolton Market, Bolton Interchange and Asda Farnworth.

In addition, 12-15 year olds can now get their second jab at walk-in clinics at Market Place Shopping Centre, Horwich RMI, and Hootons at Bolton Wanderers Football Club. It must be at least 12 weeks since their first dose and they need to be accompanied by a parent/carer to give consent.

Dr Helen Wall, senior responsible officer for the vaccination programme in Bolton, said that she was proud of how the borough’s vaccination sites had responded.

She added: “More than 84,000 people in Bolton are now eligible for their booster; it’s a massive undertaking but I’m not surprised at how our teams have risen to the challenge.

“We have just marked the anniversary of the first Covid-19 vaccination in Bolton. A year ago, I was proud of how Bolton came together to mobilise the biggest vaccination programme in the borough’s history.

“Once again, staff, volunteers and our partners are showing that same determination. Sites across the borough have increased their days and times to offer everyone their booster before Christmas – including Bolton’s very first 24-hour clinic!

“Please come forward if you are aged 18 and over and you need your booster, as long as it’s been three months since your second dose. There’s plenty of walk-in options across the borough.

“Please also get your first or second dose if you’ve not already done so. It’s never too late.”

Vaccination sites are also appealing for volunteers to help meet the increased demand.

To register your interest call the vaccination hotline on: 01204 462125, 462157, 462028.

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Dr Wall added: “Right from day one, we couldn’t have done this without the invaluable work of our fantastic volunteers who give up their time.

“Now, more than ever, we need your support so please do get in touch if you think you could help at our sites.”

Bolton’s walk-in vaccination clinics for this week ahead:

Sunday, December 19

• Horwich RMI, 8am-5pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Breightmet Health Centre, 9am-12pm & 1.30pm-4.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 8am-8pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Tonge Moor Health Centre, 10am-2pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, and booster.

Over-16s only.

• Avondale Health Centre, 8am-8pm. Pifzer

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

Monday, December 20

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 8am-8pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Vaccination bus Asda Farnworth, 10am-4pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third doses.

Weather permitting.

Over-16s only.

• Horwich RMI, 8am-8pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Hootons Pharmacy at Bolton Wanderers, 8.15am-7.45pm. Pfizer and Moderna.

First and second doses, and booster.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Avondale Health Centre, 7pm-10pm. Pifzer

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Breightmet Health Centre, 10am-3pm & 4.30pm-7.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

• Nautica House, Waters Meeting Road, 10am-3pm & 3.30pm-6.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

Tuesday, December 21

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 8am-8pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Horwich RMI, 8am-6pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Hootons Pharmacy at Bolton Wanderers, 8.15am-7.45pm. Pfizer and Moderna.

First and second doses, and booster.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Avondale Health Centre, 7pm-10pm. Pifzer

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Breightmet Health Centre, 10am-3pm & 4.30pm-7.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Vaccination bus Bolton Interchange, 10am-4pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third doses.

Weather permitting. Over-16s only.

• Bolton University (ground floor Chancellor’s Way), 10am-4pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Nautica House, Waters Meeting Road, 10am-3pm & 3.30pm-6.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

Wednesday, December 22

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 8am-8pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Horwich RMI, 8am-8pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Hootons Pharmacy at Bolton Wanderers, 8.15am-7.45pm. Pfizer and Moderna.

First and second doses, and booster.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Avondale Health Centre, 7pm-10pm. Pifzer

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Breightmet Health Centre, 10am-3pm & 4.30pm-7.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

Nautica House, Waters Meeting Road, 10am-3pm & 3.30pm-6.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

Thursday, December 23

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 8am-8pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Horwich RMI, 8am-8pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Hootons Pharmacy at Bolton Wanderers, 8.15am-7.45pm. Pfizer and Moderna.

First and second doses, and booster.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Avondale Health Centre, 7pm-10pm. Pifzer

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Breightmet Health Centre, 10am-3pm & 4.30pm-7.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Tonge Moor Health Centre, 10am-1pm 1.30pm-7pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, and booster.

Over-16s only.

• Nautica House, 6am-6am Thurs-Fri (24 hours). Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose. Over-16s only

Friday, December 24

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 8am-2pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Horwich RMI, 9am-4pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First and second doses, booster, third dose.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Breightmet Health Centre, 9am-12pm & 1.30pm-4.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

• Nautica House, Waters Meeting Road, 10am-3pm & 3.30pm-6.30pm. Pfizer.

First and second doses, booster, and third dose.

Over-16s only.

The following applies at all vaccination sites:

• Face coverings are required unless exempt.

• If you have your NHS number handy it will help speed up the process, but it isn’t essential

• AstraZeneca is for people aged 40 and over

• First and second doses should be a minimum of eight weeks apart (12 weeks for under 18s).

• Booster dose should be a minimum of three months after second dose if currently eligible

• All booster doses are Pfizer unless advised otherwise for medical reasons

• Third dose for people with weakened immune system should be as soon as eight weeks after second dose. NHS letter required

• 12-15 year olds must be accompanied by a parent/carer to give consent.

Anyone requiring a second, third or booster dose can also contact NHS Bolton CCG for help on: 01204 462125, 462157, 462028. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Bolton callers only.