Across the North West, more than 60 vaccination sites are offering walk-in appointments as part of a week-long push on walk-in sites to increase protection against the Omicron variant.

The Week of Walk-ins initiative, which runs from today (Monday 17 January) to Sunday, 23 January, aims to raise awareness of how easy and convenient it is to get vaccinated and protected from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

Walk-in sites allow people to turn up to participating vaccine clinics without making an appointment and get either first, second or booster dose of the vaccine around their work and social commitments.

Many of the sites are able to give the vaccine to children aged 12 and over, meaning whole families can take advantage of the walk-in offer. Opening times vary and people are being urged the check the national site finder here before attending.

Vaccines will be available on a first come, first-served basis and those with appointments at participating clinics will be able to continue to attend at their time slot and receive their vaccine as planned.

Ewood Park in Blackburn (drive-through), Wavertree Athletics Centre and Pier Head in Liverpool, and Leigh Leisure Centre are just some of the vaccination sites offering COVID-19 jabs without appointments this week. Ewood Park, Pier Head and Leigh Leisure Centres are among the sites that can offer vaccinations to those aged 12 and over.

Regional Director of Commissioning at NHS England and Improvement and Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in the North West, Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, is urging people to not delay getting vaccinated and to find a local, convenient walk-in site this week.

She said: “The vaccine is our best protection from the Omicron variant, especially the booster dose which tops-ups protection from the first two jabs. As we continue the fight against the virus, I’d like to encourage everyone who’s not yet vaccinated or due a second or booster dose to please come forward.

“We know that people have busy lives but protecting yourself and your loved ones against the virus is vital at this time. Walk-in sites make it even more convenient for people to get vaccinated and with this in mind, we’ve been able to offer more walk-in sites across the region, as part of the national WOW Week of Walk-ins.”

In the North West, we have now vaccinated more than 14 million people, including 3.6 million booster – an incredible effort from NHS staff, volunteers and those who have come forward for their jab.

All walk-in site details can be found using the site finder website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/

If anyone prefers to have an appointment, they can book using the national booking service, simply click here or call 119.