Walk-in booster jabs available – but please book if you can

People can now get their Covid booster jabs at Bury’s four vaccination clinics without an appointment.

However, health chiefs urge residents to book a slot if they can to avoid waiting in a queue and to guarantee they will be jabbed.

Bury’s four GP-led clinics are at Ramsbottom Civic Hall, the Elizabethan Suite in Bury, Radcliffe United Reformed Church, and Prestwich Walk-in Centre.

There are also seven pharmacies in Bury, the clinic at Fairfield Hospital and at the mass vaccination centre at the Etihad that can all be booked through the national booking service.

Lesley Jones, Bury’s director of public health, said: “Our vaccination clinics have been doing a tremendous job, and have already given booster doses to around 60,000 local people.

“Now that everyone aged over 18 can get a booster jab, they will be busier than ever, with the Government’s target to offer every adult a booster by 31 December. This means we will be vaccinating tens of thousands over the next fortnight.

“To meet this huge challenge, we are ramping up our arrangements. We are putting on more clinics, and looking at longer opening hours and opening on bank holidays as well as weekends.

“I urge everyone to get their booster immediately - if it has been three months since their second dose - given the huge increase in cases of the new Omicron variant, to protect them and their loved ones.

“And please look out for friends and neighbours who are less mobile and help them if you can with transport to get to their vaccination appointments.”

Vaccination details are as follows:

First and second dose Covid-19 vaccinations

Walk-in or book:

• For people aged 16+ due their first vaccination.
• For people aged 18+ (including within 3 months of turning 18) due their second vaccination (second dose at 8+ weeks since the first). You may have a wait for a walk-in appointment.

Book only:

• Second doses for young people aged 16 and 17 years are by appointment only (second dose at 12+ weeks since the first).

Booster vaccinations

• Everyone aged 18+ is now able to book their Covid booster jab, so long as three months (91 days) have passed since their second dose.
• Priority will be given to pre-booked booster vaccination appointments; however, our four vaccination sites can accommodate walk-ins without an appointment for booster vaccinations where capacity allows. To guarantee an appointment, please pre-book. You may have a wait for a walk-in appointment.

Flu vaccinations

• Flu vaccinations are available for eligible patients registered with a Bury GP Practice.
• Priority will be given to pre-booked flu vaccination appointments; however, our four vaccination sites can accommodate walk-ins without an appointment for flu vaccinations where capacity allows. To guarantee an appointment, please pre-book. You may have a wait for a walk-in appointment.

12-15-year-old Covid-19 vaccinations

• Our four local vaccination sites are for people aged 16+. 12 to 15-year-old vaccinations can be booked via the National Booking Service or call 119.

How to book a booster

For Ramsbottom, Bury, Radcliffe or Prestwich vaccination centres – this link can be used to book.

Alternatively people can book at one of seven local pharmacies, and the Manchester Mass Vaccination Centre at the Etihad Campus, by calling 119 or clicking through to the NHS National Booking Service

The seven local pharmacies are:

• Bury - Asda, Spring Street; and Strachan’s Chemist, Walmersley Road
• Radcliffe - Asda; and Well Pharmacy, Church Street West
• Whitefield - Barash Pharmacy, Bury New Road; and Well Pharmacy, Elms Square
• Prestwich - Cohen’s Chemist, St Gabriel’s Medical Centre, Bishops Road.

For up-to-date details about when and where walk-in vaccination sessions are happening, see www.bury.gov.uk/coronavirus-vaccine

ENDS

Press release issued: 16 December 2021.