A 'UNIQUE' bus which is the first of its kind in England is offering Covid-19 vaccines in Warrington.

The Living Well bus primarily targets the most deprived 20 per cent of the population - who data shows are less likely to take up the vaccination offer.

Travelling to the heart of communities, including Warrington, the service ensures that people can access the Covid-19 vaccine - including the autumn booster - as well as a range of other physical and mental health checks, ensuring that every contact counts.

The Living Well bus is a drop-in service, so appointments aren’t necessary.

It provides first and second doses, as well as top-up booster jabs.

And to date, it has delivered more than 7,000 Covid-19 vaccines.

It comes to the town thanks to the efforts of vaccination and outreach teams who aim to make the vaccine more convenient than ever.

The teams across the north west are continuing to roll out more innovative, community-based clinics to offer the autumn booster and earlier doses on the Covid-19 vaccine to people living in areas with lower vaccine uptake.

As well as the Living Well bus in Cheshire and Merseyside, a number of other services are available.

These include:

  • The DBCL Stadium, home of the Widnes Vikings, which will be opening its doors once again for people to drop in and get their autumn booster between 4pm and 6pm this Saturday, November 19.
  • Pop up clinics at the Port Arcades shopping centre in Ellesmere Port, Merseyside, throughout November and December, offering Christmas shoppers the chance to drop in and get their autumn booster
  • Twice-weekly pop up clinics at a range of community locations in Stockport, Greater Manchester, including churches, community centres, social clubs and libraries up to December 8.

Since the launch of the seasonal booster programme, more than 1.7 million autumn booster vaccines have been administered in the north west, in an effort to protect those most vulnerable in our communities from becoming seriously ill with Covid-19.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, regional director of commissioning and SRO for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in the north west, said: “The lengths that our NHS colleagues and partners across the North West are going to, to make sure that the autumn booster is offered to all those who are eligible, is outstanding.

“These vaccination projects which are reaching into diverse communities are really making a difference.

“Vaccines remain our best defence against Covid-19, and ensuring that all of our communities, regardless of where they live or their background, have easy access to the vaccine, is really important.

“As we head into winter, ensuring that as many people as possible are protected from becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 is key. So if you’re eligible, don’t delay, and come forward for your jab as soon as possible.”

Anyone aged 50 and over, pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems, unpaid carers and frontline health and social care workers are eligible for the autumn booster, as long as it has been three months since their last dose of the vaccine.