Here’s when ALL over 18s can book Covid booster jab appointments

Everyone over the age of 18 in Newcastle will have the chance to book their Covid-19 booster vaccine by the end of December.

The NHS is prioritising the distribution of the booster jabs and is urging people to book their slot.

People are being asked to use the booking system and not to walk into services without an appointment.

The NHS is reminding members of the public that booking is important as it reduces queuing times and helps people be seen as quickly as possible.

Online bookings are currently available for all those in their 30s and above.

Those who struggle to book an appointment at first are being told to keep checking back regularly as more appointments come open.

The booking system will then open to everyone aged 18 and over from Wednesday, December 15.

There are five large vaccination centres across the North East and North Cumbria, along with 68 primary care network locations and 193 community pharmacy locations - all of which require booking to use.

In addition, extra mobile and pop up clinics are being organised for local communities and are set to be advertised locally - it is hoped that these will cater for walk-ins.

Professor Neil Watson, who is leading the COVID-19 Vaccination programme for the North East and North Cumbria said: “Across the North East and North Cumbria our vaccine delivery has been brilliant.

"We have very efficient teams who have worked exceptionally hard over the last year and we’ve had excellent take up.

“The ambitious plan to speed up the offer of the booster will depend on everyone working together to support the programme.

“In particular this means we are asking people to be patient and not to call their GPs about the booster they won’t be able answer your queries.

“It will take time to offer the vaccine to everyone who becomes eligible and we will be working as hard as we can with the resources we have to vaccinate as many people as quickly as we can.

“We ask that people are patient if they can’t get an appointment as quickly as they would like to keep checking back on the National Booking System.

"Also please show the teams and the volunteers supporting them kindness as we work to ensure the best protection possible for our community.”

Elizabeth Morgan, Director of Public Health for Northumberland and lead director for the COVID-19 Vaccination programme, said: “NHS staff with the help of lots of partners were already working incredibly hard to deliver covid vaccines as swiftly as possible but the threat posed by Omicron is grave.

“Scientists are very concerned about the spread of Omicron due to the the speed with which it spreads.

"We know that two doses don’t provide as much protection as we would like, but thankfully, a booster dramatically improves this.

“That’s why the Government have asked the NHS to prioritise boosters over other routine care.

“For people who have not yet had a vaccine please don’t forget that it is never too late to get protected and you can take advantage of all the extra appointments that are being made available.”