People in the West Midlands are being urged to Grab A Jab this week in convenient locations across the region.

The NHS is launching a week of walk-ins to make it easy and convenient for people to get protected from the dangers of the COVID-19 variant, Omicron and long COVID.

Those who are eligible can now use the NHS online walk-in finder to find the most convenient site to get their booster, first or second dose without an appointment. People who are eligible can also book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.

The walk-in sites include Villa Park, Green Lane Mosque, Solihull High Street, Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Telford Football Club, Artrix Theatre and Coventry and North Warwickshire Cricket Club.

COVID-19 vaccines offer the best protection for individuals against the risk of severe disease and mortality. Though symptoms can be mild for people who are vaccinated, a number of patients who have no immunity to COVID are becoming very ill in hospital intensive care units.

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

The NHS COVID vaccination programme in the Midlands has delivered over 21 million doses including over 5.7 million top-up jabs in just over a year. In the West Midlands there have been over 11.4 million vaccines delivered including over 2.9 million top-up jabs.

Since the start of December, more than four million people in England have tested positive for COVID and would have been unable to get their booster for at least 28 days in line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation guidance, but anyone testing positive before 20th December is now able to get that vital booster this week.

Roz Lindridge, the NHS England and NHS Improvement director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:

“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. This week of walk ins makes it as easy and convenient as possible for people to benefit from the vaccine’s vital protection from the Omicron variant and the serious risk of long COVID.

“We have all read that Omicron can be mild, but we know from doctors in hospitals that it isn’t mild for everybody – patients who have no immunity to COVID are becoming very ill indeed.

“If you have put it off, now is the time to book and get boosted – it will protect you and ensure you can get maximum protection from Omicron as well as protecting those you love.

“It is never too late for people to get their vaccine as it is an evergreen offer. Vaccination provides powerful protection against severe illness with COVID-19, so getting the jab is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself. Boosters are also vital to maintain a high level of protection because the vaccine starts to ‘wear off’ as time goes by.”

The NHS is also this week inviting eligible 16 and 17-year-olds to get their booster as well as those at risk between 12 and 15.