ANYONE aged 18 plus can now book to receive their COVID-19 booster vaccination once at least 12 weeks from their second jag.
And bolstering the massive push to see everyone vaccinated as quickly as possible, drop-in clinics are now being scheduled in each of the region’s four localities – Wigtownshire, Stewartry, Nithsdale and Annandale and Eskdale.
Director of Public Health Valerie White said: “Book your booster now is the message we urgently need to get out right across our communities.
“We’re now aiming to provide boosters to everyone in the region aged 18 plus as quickly as possible, as part of the national push driven by concerns about the Omicron variant.
“If you are over 18, an unpaid Carer or live with someone immune-suppressed, and it’s been at least 12 weeks since your second jag, book in now using the national portal https://vac.nhs.scot/csp, or by calling the free number 0800 030 8013.
“The local helpline can handle a limited number of enquiries for anyone experiencing problems with the national system – calling 01387 403090 or emailing [email protected].”
“Booking in this way ensures you’ve secured your timeslot, and can turn up with no delay.
“Drop-in clinics have also now been set up on dates in all four of the region’s localities, running from 5 pm to 8 pm, so please be prepared to queue and wrap-up warmly.
“As people look to get their booster jags, we’d ask employers to help support them to be able do this – and to be aware of the threat COVID poses to disrupt our society, particularly now with the Omicron variant.
“With the very fast spread of Omicron, it’s likely that everyone will now be exposed to the coronavirus at some point – but it’s never too late to book your first jag, and we’d encourage everyone to do so.
“Youngsters aged 16 and 17 should now secure their second jag, booking in through the national portal.
“We are all in this together, so we need people across our communities to help spread the message that the booster is now available to everyone over 18, and that people need to act now.
“We have seen clinic spaces going to waste this week as people have not booked in, and we can’t afford to waste a single minute in this massive push to get our population vaccinated.”
Receiving a vaccination against COVID-19 introduces your body’s immune system to a safe version of the virus, training to recognise this unwelcome presence and see it off. A second dose helps remind the body to be on the lookout. The booster jag, after a 12 week gap, is now known to increase the body’s preparedness to fight the virus to a higher point than after either of the first two jags alone, providing a higher level of defence against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
DROP-IN CLINICS
Thursday December 16, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, 5 pm to 8 pm
Friday December 17, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, 5 pm to 8 pm
Friday December 17, Charles Street Clinic, Annan, 5 pm to 8 pm
Monday December 20, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, 5 pm to 8 pm
Monday December 20, Charles Street Clinic, Annan, 5 pm to 8 pm
Tuesday December 21, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, 5 pm to 8 pm
Tuesday December 21, Waverley Medical Centre, Stranraer, 5 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday December 22, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, 5 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday December 22, Castle Douglas Town Hall, 5 pm to 8 pm
Thursday December 23, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Dumfries, 5 pm to 8 pm
Drop-in clinics have been established primarily for those over 40.
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