Wandsworth residents who caught Omicron urged to ‘grab a jab’

Dr Nicola Jones, GP lead for the southwest London vaccination programme, is calling on them – together with those who have yet to take up their offer of the top-up dose – to get vaccinated as soon as they can.

The local GP is also reminding anyone else eligible for the Covid-19 booster or other doses to get protected without delay.

They can visit one of the many sites locally with plans also being drawn up for new pop-up sites in the coming weeks. Find a local clinic at Walk-in and pop up vaccination clinics. The national Grab A Jab website is also available.

Since the start of December, over four million people in England have tested positive for Covid-19 and would have been unable to get their booster for at least 28 days in line with guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, but anyone testing positive before 20 December was able to get that vital booster last week.

The NHS is keen to remind the public that the booster dramatically increases protection against Omicron and is vital for protecting yourself and your loved ones from Covid-19 and any dangers posed by long Covid, even if you have recently had coronavirus.

UK Health Security Agency data demonstrates the great protection two doses offer. While not enough to completely stop the surge of Omicron, adding an additional third dose prevents around 75% of people from getting any Covid-19 symptoms.

Dr Jones said: “We’re making it as easy and convenient as possible for people to get vaccinated. We continue to offer walk-in vaccination sites every day of the week and people can also use the national booking service to get an appointment time.

“We know there are thousands of people in southwest London whose booster is overdue – many had to delay getting jabbed after catching Covid-19 as the Omicron variant spread fast in December – but it is crucial they get the top-up dose to protect them and their loved ones. I’d urge anyone yet to come forward for their booster – or their first or second dose – to check where their nearest site is online and get protected now.”

The national booking service can be found at Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

The following vaccinations can be booked:

• 1st and 2nd doses for people aged 12 years old and over
• boosters for people aged 16 years old and over
• 3rd doses for people with a severely weakened immune system aged 16 years old and over.