Local people are urged to get their booster jab before New Year, as the NHS continues efforts to protect the region against the Omicron variant.
Since the middle of December the Somerset COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has ramped up its capacity to offer as many jabs as possible to give everyone eligible aged 18 and over the chance to get their COVID-19 booster jab before the New Year.
In total, the provisional data shows over 1,200,000 vaccinations have been given in Somerset, including over 320,000 booster jabs. This means that approximately 75% of eligible people have received their booster jab against a target of 80% by the end of the year.
Andy Heron, joint senior responsible officer for the programme in Somerset, said: “Across our county we have pulled out all the stops to ramp up capacity in our vaccination centres, and open pop up clinics, so that we everyone in Somerset who is eligible for a booster jab, or has yet to have their first or second vaccinations, can come forward and protect themselves against COVID-19. We have had a fantastic response, but we are still urging people to come forward. Vaccinators are standing by in walk-in clinics to give you your booster.”
Dr Fiona Dempsey, consultant in intensive care at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, has urged people to protect themselves by getting fully vaccinated. She said: “Since about August virtually every patient who has come into our critical care unit has been unvaccinated. We have cared for the odd patient in the unit who has been vaccinated but those patients have had significant other things wrong with them. I have had to hold the hands of, and speak to, people who have lost their loved ones who were unvaccinated. To protect yourself, your loved ones, and the NHS, I urge anyone who is not fully vaccinated to come forward and get their jabs.”
You can book a vaccination appointment on the National Booking System or by calling 119. The following walk-in clinics are available as set out below.
Haynes Motor Museum (Sparkford, Yeovil, BA22 7LH)
Thursday 30 December from 8.30am – 6pm
Strode College (Church Rd, Street, BA16 0AB)
Thursday 30 December from 9am – 5pm
Firepool (Canal Road, Taunton, TA1 1NY)
Thursday 30 December from 8.30am – 9.30pm
Mendip District Council Campus (Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BS4 5BT)
Thursday 30 and Friday 31 December from 10am – 4pm
Winchester Farm (BS27 3RP)
Thursday 30 December from 9am – 4pm
Friday 31 December from 9am – 1pm
Bridgwater Town Hall (High St, Bridgwater, TA6 3BL)
Tuesday 4 January – Friday 7 January from 9am – 5pm
For more information on the local rollout of the Covid vaccine, visit our COVID-19 vaccination page.