GRAB a booster jab to enjoy Christmas with loved ones – that is the advice from Rugby’s MP.
Mark Pawsey is urging residents to get their top-up vaccination to reduce the risk of getting a serious illness from Covid-19, as the anniversary of the world’s first vaccination against the disease at University Hospital Coventry approaches.
The global vaccination programme began with Margaret Keenan’s vaccination in Coventry on December 8 last year.
One year later, over 18 million people in the UK have had a Covid booster – their third jab – including 32,386 in Mr Pawsey’s Rugby and Bulkington constituency.
Mr Pawsey said: “The vaccination programme remains the most important way we can keep safe, save lives and protect the NHS from coronavirus, and the booster jabs will offer life-saving protection to everyone this winter. I have already had my booster jab, and I’d encourage everyone eligible in Rugby and Bulkington to get theirs as soon as possible.
“In just one year the UK has administered over 115 million doses of the vaccine, allowing us to ease the restrictions we had earlier in the year. The booster programme will help to maximise immunity following the emergency of the Omicron variant, and help to ensure that we can all enjoy Christmas safely with our loved ones.”
The latest figures show more than 115 million vaccine doses have been administered across the UK in almost a year – meaning nine in ten people aged 12 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine – and 80 per cent of the adult population has received two vaccine doses.
This week, in response to the new Omicron variant, the Government has expanded the booster programme to all adults over 18 and announced that all eligible people will be offered a top-up jab by the end of January.
To speed up the vaccination programme, around 400 military personnel will be drafted in to support deployment, with 1,500 community pharmacy sites, additional hospital hubs, and pop-up sites opening across the country.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/2s3t38nn to book a jab online, or visit https://tinyurl.com/2c5ckmkj to find details of local walk-in centres, including Locke House in Rugby.
