Walk-in Covid-19 booster jabs and second doses for those aged 16-17 offered in Cambridgeshire
Nearly all large-scale vaccination centres across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are offering Covid-19 vaccines to all eligible groups on a walk-in basis from Monday, November 29, 2021.
Until now, those seeking boosters and 16 and 17-year-olds eligible for second jabs have had to book in Cambridgeshire.
It means jabs are available on a walk-in basis at sites including The Grafton centre in Cambridge and The Eatons Community Centre in Eaton Socon. There’s a full list below.
Those aged 12-15 can also now walk into these sites too, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group has confirmed to the Cambridge Independent.
All other first and second jabs have already been available on a walk-in basis.
Chesterton Indoor Bowls Club is the only exception among large-scale vaccination sites. As of Thursday, December 2, it is offering vaccinations on an appointment basis only to all groups, due to parking constraints.
The government announced on Monday, November 29, that boosters are to be extended to everyone over 18, three months after their second jab, to help build protection against the Omicron variant, while those aged 12 to 15 will be offered second doses, 12 weeks after their first. The NHS and local authorities will now work out the logistics of these changes and confirm further details.
Until then, only those over 40 can access booster jabs.
Prior to that announcement, Dr David Vickers, medical director of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which delivers the large-scale vaccination centres across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “I am delighted to announce that from Monday, November 29, 2021, our vaccination centres across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will provide vaccinations and boosters to all eligible people on a walk-in basis.
“This includes those aged 40-49 who recently became eligible for a booster six months after their second dose, and 16 to 17-year-olds not in at-risk groups who can now access a second dose 12 weeks after their first dose.”
“The only exception to this, due to parking capacity, is the Chesterton Indoor Bowls Club which will continue to deliver existing walk-in services. This does not include those aged 40-49 needing a booster dose; those aged 16-17 not in at risk groups for their second dose, and those aged 12-15 not in at risk groups needing their single dose.”
“Anyone who would prefer a booked appointment can continue to book these via the National Booking Service at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine.”
Dr Gary Howsam, chair of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s great news that vaccination centres are opening up to all eligible cohorts on a walk-in basis. The vast majority of those being hospitalised with serious illness from Covid-19 are those who have not been vaccinated.
“We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to arrange their first, second, third primary or booster dose now.
“Vaccines are the best way to protect yourselves and your loved ones and reducing covid-related hospital admissions will help the NHS cope better during the winter months and reduce disruption to routine and planned care.”
Many pharmacies and some GP surgeries are also offering jabs on an appointment basis.
Boosters are key to tackling waning immunity. Protection against symptomatic Covid-19 falls to 45-65 per cent six months after a second jab. Studies show this is bolstered to more than 90 per cent by a booster.
You need to wear a face mask when visiting any site for your jab.
Walk-in vaccination centres in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Large scale vaccination centres are open seven days a week at the following locations:
- The Grafton Centre, Cambridge CB1 1PS - 8.30am-4pm seven days a week and 8.30am-7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- The Eatons Community Centre, Eaton Socon, St Neots PE19 8ES - 8.30am-4pm seven days a week and 8.30am-7.30pm on Tuesdays
- The Oaktree Centre, 1 Oak Drive, Huntingdon PE29 7HN - 8.30am-4pm seven days a week and 8.30am-7.30pm on Thursdays
- Horsefair Shopping Centre, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 1AR - 8.30am-4pm seven days a week and 8.30am-7.30pm on Mondays
- Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NT - 8.30am-4pm seven days a week and 8.30am-7.30pm on Thursdays
- Chesterton Indoor Bowls Centre, Logan’s Way, Chesterton, Cambridge CB4 1BL - 8.30am-4pmnote that this is the only large-scale vaccination site not offering boosters to the 40-49 age group or second jabs to those aged 16-17 or first jabs to those aged 12-15 on a walk-in basis. It is offering, on a walk-in basis, first doses to those 16-plus, second doses to those 18-plus and third primary doses to those 16-plus, along with boosters for the over-50s and those with a health condition that puts them at higher risk, and second doses for those aged 12-15 who are greater risk
Check before you go in case of any late changes at www.thevaccinators.co.uk.
Additional one-off vaccination clinics
The Vaccinators team is also running additional special walk-in clinics offering jabs to all, including those eligible for boosters and those aged 16-17 seeking second doses. Those announced so far include:
- The Guildhall, Cambridge - 10am-6pm on Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28
- Halls the Chemist, Orton Wistow - 8am-4pm on Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28
- Mi Pharmacy, Park Road, Peterborough - for those 18-plus only - 9am-5pm on Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28.
Sessions were also being lined up for Trumpington Pavilion and Cambourne Hub, but these have been cancelled.
Who is eligible for a booster jab?
Everyone over the age of 18 will soon be eligible for a booster jab, three months after their second dose, the government announced on Monday, November 29.
The NHS and local authorities are due to announce details on this in the coming days. In the meantime, booster are already available, six months after second jabs, for the following groups:
- people aged 40 and over
- people who live and work in care homes
- frontline health and social care workers
- people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19
- people aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from Covid-19
- people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
- people who are pregnant and in 1 of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.
Who is eligible for a second dose?
People aged 18+ (eight weeks after their first dose)
People aged 16-17 (12 weeks after their first dose)
People aged 12-17 (eight weeks after their first dose) in the following categories:
- with health conditions that put them at higher risk from Covid-19 (bringing with them an NHS confirmation letter)
- who are young carers
- who are frontline health or social care workers; or
- who live with someone who is immunosuppressed
The government announced on Monday, November 29, that 12 to 15-year-olds not in the high risk groups will also soon be eligible for second doses. Further details on this are due to be announced soon.
Who is eligible for a third primary dose eight weeks after a second dose?
A third primary dose of a Covid-19 vaccine is being offered to people aged 12 and over who had a weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses. This includes people who had or have the following conditions who must bring with them an NHS confirmation letter:
- A blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
- A weakened immune system due to a treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
- An organ or bone marrow transplant
- A condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections
- A condition of treatment your specialist advises makes you eligible for a third dose
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