Warrington to double efforts to hit Covid booster target

The target, which was brought forward by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week, is that everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster by December 31.

It comes as the Omicron variant continues to spread across the country, with at least two cases confirmed in Warrington as of December 6, which is the latest period for which data is available from the UK Health Security Agency.

The booster vaccine target has been described as a ‘Dunkirk moment’ by Warrington Borough Council’s chief executive Steven Broomhead.

In a briefing this week following the Prime Minister’s announcement, he said that assurances have been given that Warrington will have an adequate supply of the vaccines.

“We are engaged in detailed planning with the NHS and clinical commissioning group to meet this target. It is a Dunkirk moment,” he said.

“We will need to deliver 5,000-plus jabs per day, including on the December 27 and 28 bank holidays, to hit the target.

“This means we will need to double our present effort.”

The booster jab will be delivered in the town at GP surgeries, Orford Jubilee Hub, Spencer House in Birchwood, Warrington Hospital, Village Hotel and the Imaan Pharmacy-led Bewsey Vaccination Centre.

Other sites are also expected to come into use, with the assistance of volunteers to be maximised in a managed way.

The vaccination hub at Warrington Hospital

Prof. Broomhead added: “We are monitoring carefully the access arrangements to the NHS booking website.

“The NHS has confirmed that there will be an adequate supply of the vaccines to meet the challenge.

“We are seeking confirmation from the Government that there will be additional funding available.”

Speaking last week, the council’s cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, called for residents to embrace booster vaccine offers.

She said: “The vaccine is safe and effective, and I would strongly encourage everyone to boost their immunity this winter by getting vaccinated as soon as possible, if they have not done so already.

“It really is our best line of defence against the virus and any new variants.

“Understandably, residents may be concerned about cases of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant and what this will mean over the next few months.

“It is now more important than ever that we continue to do all we can to protect ourselves and others.

“This means wearing face coverings whenever possible, keeping your distance from others, washing your hands often, testing yourself regularly, self-isolating when required and taking up the offer of the vaccine and booster dose as soon as you are eligible.”