Thousands of Covid-19 boosters will be available on the Isle of Wight this weekend as health and care partners work together to protect even more people from the virus.
As the NHS works at extreme pace to jab even more people as part of the largest vaccination drive in history of the NHS, walk-ins are being offered via a new booster bus. The bus will visit the island for an initial four days from tomorrow (Thursday).
Scaling up booster programme
With the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) updating its guidance in response to the newly discovered Omicron variant, more people than ever will be able to access a vaccine or booster.
On the Island alone, more than 5,500 (booster doses) are provided every week. But plans are being rapidly scaled up as we work to ensure than everyone aged 18 and over is offered a booster dose by the end of January, in-line with Government guidance.
Who will be eligible
Now, between Thursday 2nd December and Sunday 5th December those who are eligible for a booster jab from cohorts 1-10 (anyone aged 40 and over) who received their second dose six months ago, will be able to walk in and get their booster.
The booster bus will visit the island at the following locations and timings:
- Thursday 2nd December
Sandown Fire Station, 4-5 E Yar Rd, Sandown, PO36 9AY,Isle of Wight. 9am – 4pm - Friday 3rd December
Moa Place Car Park, Freshwater PO40 9AN, Isle of Wight. 9am – 4pm - Saturday 4th December
The Heights Leisure Centre, Broadway, Sandown PO36 9ET. 9am – 4pm - Sunday 5th December
Central Car Park, Ventnor, PO38 1LU, Isle of Wight. 9am – 4pm
Expanding the booster programme
Following updated guidance from the JCVI this week, the NHS will shortly set out how staff will expand the booster programme – this will include how booster jabs will be given in priority order so that the most vulnerable people are protected first, while also increasing capacity to vaccinate millions more people in a shorter space of time.
As people wait to be contacted, NHS teams are working to provide additional capacity across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Nisbet: Over 40 and six months since second dose you can attend one “booster buses”
Dr Matt Nisbet, Clinical Lead for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said:
“The NHS is working at extreme pace to respond to this new variant.
“The latest national guidance advises reducing interval between a second dose and a booster dose to three months and as new capacity comes online we will be inviting people in accordance with this, in order of vulnerability.
“For now, if you are over 40 and it is six months since your second dose you can attend one of our “booster buses” to maximise your protection against the virus.”
Ansell: Incredible support of our partners and volunteers
Jane Ansell, Senior Responsible Officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said,
“Teams across Hampshire and Isle of Wight continue to do all they can to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are delighted to be able to offer eligible people the choice of attending one of our mobile booster buses, offering greater access to the vaccine.
“This could not be achieved without the incredible support of our partners and volunteers.”
Mobile vaccination centres will also be on offer across the weekend in Portsmouth, Gosport, Southampton as the Covid-19 vaccination programme seeks to give boosters to as many people aged 40 and over as possible.
For the latest information on the vaccination programme please visit the NHS’ COVID-19 pages.
Article edit
11am 2nd Dec 2021 – Location of Ventnor Booster Bus changed due to predicted high winds
News shared by Priya on behalf of the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Ed
Image: © DK Photography Isle of Wight
