Vulnerable people in Bolton are to be offered a spring booster to “top up” their immunity against Covid-19.

Plans to offer all five to 11 year olds the Covid vaccine from April are also being finalised.

The spring booster vaccine will be offered to all over-75s, care home residents and over-12s who have a weakened immune system.

National guidance is that people should wait around six months from their last dose before having the spring booster to maximise effectiveness. People with a severely weakened immune system may be able to have it after three months.

Eligible people will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn to have the booster.

Details of the spring booster programme, which is expected to start in the next few days and run until early summer, are being finalised. 

Dr Helen Wall, senior responsible officer for Bolton’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, said:  “Covid-19 is more serious in older people and those with a weakened immune system.

"Protection from the vaccine may be lower and may decline more quickly in these people which is why they are being offered a spring booster.

“Many people will be keen to get their spring booster. Please be assured that we will let eligible people know how they can take up this offer as soon as the details are finalised.

“Please also remember that if you are already eligible for a booster, it is never too late to get it. The same goes for your first or second doses! More than 144,000 people in Bolton have had their booster jabs but around 50,000 people are still to do so..

“And if you are planning a holiday, you may also need a booster to visit certain countries.”

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

Sunday 20 March

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

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.
12-15 year olds first and second doses. First dose for at risk 5-11 year olds (NHS invitation required).

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

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

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

Monday 21 March

  • Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-4pm. Pfizer.

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

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

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.
12-15 year olds first and second doses. First dose for at risk 5-11 year olds (NHS invitation required).

Tuesday 22 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, 3pm-6pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.
12-15 year olds first and second doses. First dose for at risk 5-11 year olds (NHS invitation required).

Wednesday 23 March

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

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

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

  • Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-4pm. Pfizer.

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

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

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.
12-15 year olds first and second doses. First dose for at risk 5-11 year olds (NHS invitation required).

  • Waters Meeting Health Centre, 4pm-6pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

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

Thursday 24 March

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

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

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

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

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

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

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.
12-15 year olds first and second doses. First dose for at risk 5-11 year olds (NHS invitation required).

Friday 25 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, 3pm-6pm. Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

First, second & booster. Third/fourth doses if eligible.
12-15 year olds first and second doses. First dose for at risk 5-11 year olds (NHS invitation required).

  • Hootons at Bolton Wanderers FC, 8.15am-12.30pm. Pfizer.

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

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

  • Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-4pm. Pfizer.

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

Saturday 26 March

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

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

12-15 year olds first and second doses.

  • Market Place Shopping Centre, 10am-4pm. Pfizer.

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

Sunday 27 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, 8.15am-1.30pm. Pfizer.

First, second and 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. First dose for at risk 5-11 year olds (NHS invitation required).