Council urges people to get boosted now

Wiltshire Council is supporting the national mission to ensure as many people as possible get their booster jab to give them the best form of protection against COVID-19 variant Omicron.

The Prime Minister has announced that all adults in England will be offered the COVID-19 booster vaccine before the end of the year, having brought the Government's plan forward by a month due to the speed at which the Omicron variant is spreading.

Booster vaccines are available to all adults over the age of 18, as long as three months have passed since a person's second jab. People aged 18 to 29 years old can book an online appointment from Wednesday (15 December). The vaccine programme is run locally by the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: It will take a huge collective effort to ensure every eligible adult gets access to a booster jab. However, the vaccine programme and everyone behind its success has risen to every challenge time and time again, and I'm sure once more they will pull out all the stops to protect people.

The message is clear - please get the booster jab now, as that's the best way to ensure you and your loved ones are as protected as possible from Omicron.

We will support our colleagues at the NHS with this mission in any way we can, as it is in everyone's best interests and will help to protect our health services, and get us get back to living our lives normally, which is something we all want to do.

We really appreciate everyone's support and efforts.

People should also continue to wash hands regularly, wear face coverings where required, take regular lateral flow tests, self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test when displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, and if meeting people indoors ensure fresh air is circulating.

People are advised to pre-book appointments where they can by visiting the NHS: Book or manage your coronavirus vaccination (opens new window) page or by calling 119.

People should keep any eye on the NHS website for any relevant updates regarding walk-in appointments - COVID-19 vaccine walk-in (opens new window)