Last call to book winter jabs

NHS Greater Manchester is urging people in Tameside to book their winter vaccines as the deadline approaches.

340,000 patients in the city region have already received their COVID-19 and flu jabs, but there are hundreds of thousands more at-risk people and their carers who qualify for free boosters. 

Those eligible for the shots include: 

• Pregnant women 

• Health and social care workers 

• People aged 65 and over 

• Those aged 18–65 in clinical risk groups 

• People in long-stay residential care homes 

• All children aged 2 or 3 years old on Saturday August 31 

• All children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months and younger than 18 years 

• People in long-stay residential care homes 

• Carers receiving Carer's Allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person 

• Close contacts of people with compromised immune systems 

The deadline to book a booster is Thursday December 19, with the final day for vaccinations being Friday December 20. 

Dr Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care said: “While it’s really positive that more than 340,000 people who are eligible for the winter COVID-19 booster have already come forward for the extra protection, we still need more than half of those eligible to be vaccinated.  

“I would urge anyone who is eligible and has yet to get the top up of protection, to book one of the thousands of appointments we have available and get protected in time for Christmas. 

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the festive period and all the fun that comes along with it, without the risk of becoming seriously ill, which is why the vaccines are so important.  

“They continue to provide the best protection against complications and hospitalisation from COVID-19 as well as flu, so please make sure you get vaccinated when offered and encourage loved ones who are eligible to do the same.” 

Most children will have the nasal flu vaccine, with jabs for most adults. 

Eligible people can call the National Booking Service or use the NHS app to secure their appointment