Dr Helen Wall on Covid and infection rates - and how we can protect ourselves

That’s the message from the head of Bolton’s Covid-19 vaccination programme who is urging people to continue to get jabbed.

Dr Helen Wall, senior responsible officer for Bolton’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “Covid restrictions have been lifted but the virus has not gone away.

"Infection rates are still high in Bolton so making sure that you are fully vaccinated is as important as ever – it provides the best protection against becoming seriously ill and passing on Covid to others.

“The booster jab is particularly effective against the Omicron variant, and offers more protection than just one or two doses, so I’d urge everyone over 16 who is eligible for their booster to get it as soon as possible.

“People also need to make sure that they don’t get caught out if they are planning a foreign holiday or visiting friends and family abroad. You need to be fully vaccinated in many countries; Spain, for example, requires you to have a booster if your second dose was more than 270 days before you are travelling.

“Please check before you travel if you have a foreign trip on the horizon. Even better, get vaccinated now!”

The Government recently announced that all five to 11 year olds are to be offered a low dose of the Covid vaccine. This is expected to start from April.

Meanwhile, national guidance is still to be issued on plans to offer over-75s, and those who are immunosuppressed, a second booster.

Dr Wall added: “We’ve had people attending our walk-in clinics to ask for these jabs.

“It is great that people are keen to have them, but please be assured that we will let eligible people know how and when they can take up this offer as soon as the details are finalised.”

Bolton has a range of walk-in vaccination clinics across the borough where over-16s can get any dose of the vaccine without an appointment.

In addition, the vaccination bus will be at New Bury UCAN Centre on Wednesday 2 March, and Bolton Interchange on Saturday 5 March. The bus has wheelchair access and is open from 10am-4pm.

Breightmet Health Centre and Waters Meeting Health Centre have been added to the list of walk-in clinics where 12 to 15 year olds can get their first or second doses. They join the sites at Bolton Wanderers, Horwich RMI and Market Place Shopping Centre.

The CCG’s new leaflet answers some common question about the Covid vaccine: bit.ly/Covid-19-Your-Questions-Answered People are reminded: • The gap between first and second doses is eight weeks for over-18s.

• For those aged 12 to 17, the gap between first and second doses is 12 weeks (eight weeks if they are at high risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid or live with someone more likely to get infections) • Over-16s can get their booster jab 12 weeks after their second dose.

• Over-18s should wait 28 days after a positive Covid test or the start of symptoms to have any dose of the vaccine, while the wait is 12 weeks for under-18s.

Sunday 27 February • Breightmet Health Centre, 9am-4.30pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Horwich RMI, 10am-1pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

Monday 28 February • Horwich RMI, 4pm-6.30pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• The Manor House, St Helens Road, Daubhill, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth dose if eligible.

Over-16s only.

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

Tuesday 1 March • Cohens Chemist, Halliwell Surgery, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5.30pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

Over-16s only.

• Horwich RMI, 1pm-6pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

Wednesday 2 March • Horwich RMI, 4pm-6.30pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Breightmet Health Centre, 12pm-7.30pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Waters Meeting Health Centre, 4pm-6.30pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• The Manor House, St Helens Road, Daubhill, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth dose if eligible.

Over-16s only.

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Vaccination Bus, New Bury UCAN Centre, 10am-4pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

Over-16s only. Weather permitting Thursday 3 March • Horwich RMI, 4pm-6.30pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Breightmet Health Centre, 12pm-7.30pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Hootons at Bolton Wanderers FC, 2pm-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second and booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible 12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• The Manor House, St Helens Road, Daubhill, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth dose if eligible.

Over-16s only.

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

Friday 4 March • Breightmet Health Centre, 12pm-7.30pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Horwich RMI, 1pm-6pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Hootons at Bolton Wanderers FC, 8am-1pm. Pfizer.

First, second and booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible 12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• The Manor House, St Helens Road, Daubhill, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth dose if eligible.

Over-16s only.

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

Saturday 5 March • Breightmet Health Centre, 9am-4.30pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• Hootons at Bolton Wanderers FC, 8am-1pm. Pfizer.

First, second and booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible 12-15 year olds first and second doses.

• The Manor House, St Helens Road, Daubhill, 9am-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth dose if eligible.

Over-16s only.

• Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-5pm. Pfizer.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

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

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

Over-16s only. Weather permitting Sunday 6 March • Horwich RMI, 10am-1pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

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

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

Stonehill Medical Centre and Kearsley Medical Centre Appointments are available for patients of: Kearsley Medical Centre, Stonehill Medical Centre, Fig Tree Medical Practice, The Farnworth Family Practice (Dr Barua). Ring your GP.

Pfizer. First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.

Over-16s only.

Bolton Medical Centre Appointments are available for patients of: Dr Loomba and Partner; Deane Medical Centre; Dr Zarrouk and Partner; Beehive Surgery; Orient House Medical Centre; Dr M Dakshina-Murthi; Al Fal Medical Group; Deane Clinic; 3D Medical Centre; Bolton General Practice; Bolton Medical Centre; The Olive Family Practice; Great Lever One.

Ring your GP.

Peter House Surgery and Stable Fold Surgery Appointments are available for Unsworth Group and Stable Fold patients. Text COVID, your initials and your date of birth to: 07730 765245 - Unsworth Group patients 07587 554149 - Stable Fold patients Pfizer. Over-16s: first, second & booster. Third doses if eligible.

Also at risk 5-15 year olds (NHS invitation required).

Assistance Anyone requiring a vaccination can 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.

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.