HEALTH leaders on Wirral are urging the public to get a Covid jab ahead of Christmas.

Prof Rowan Pritchard-Jones, medical director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said: "With temperatures dropping and Christmas fast approaching, now is the ideal time to get vaccinated to ensure you have the best protection against serious illness from covid.

"I encourage anyone eligible that has yet to take up the autumn booster offer, or even the offer of a first or second dose, to come forward as soon as possible.

"The vaccine is the best protection for yourself and your loved ones. Don’t let your festive celebrations be spoiled by illness."

Wirral's director of public health, Dave Bradburn, said: "Huge numbers of people of local people have had their autumn dose of the covid vaccine and can look forward to Christmas knowing that they have done the right thing to help protect themselves, as well as their friends and loved ones.

"For anyone still wishing to get their vaccinations, there are lots of convenient clinics across Wirral, so making sure your vaccinations are up to date couldn’t be easier."

Here are the locations across Wirral where people can walk in and grab a jab without an appointment ahead of Christmas:

Today (Wednesday, December 14)

Seacombe Children’s Centre, St Paul's Road, Wallasey, 2.30 - 6pm (ages 12 and over)

Thursday (December 15)

The Little Centre, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, 9am – 12.30pm (ages 12 and over)

Friday, December 16

  • St Andrew’s Church, Raymond Way, Noctorum, 2.30 – 6pm (ages 12 and over)
  • Cherry Tree Centre, Liscard, Wallasey, 10am – 4pm (ages 5 and over)

Tuesday, December 20

Heart of Egremont, Wallasey, 2.30 - 6pm (ages 12 and over)

The Living Well bus will also be taking COVID-19 vaccinations and health checks out into local communities on:

Saturday, December 17:

  • Birkenhead town centre, Catherine Street (outside Primark), 10.30am – 4pm (ages 5 and over)
  • Woodside Christmas markets, Woodside Ferry Terminal, Birkenhead, 10.30am – 4pm (ages 5 and over)

These are all in addition to the walk-in service offered at the Clatterbridge and Birkenhead Medical Building vaccination centres, whose opening hours in the run-up to Christmas are as follows:

Birkenhead Medical Building Vaccination Centre

• Until Friday (December 16) from 12-6pm

• Saturday, December 17, 9am-1pm

• Monday, December 19 to Thursday, December 22 12-6pm

The walk-in service is for those aged 12 and over. Appointments for children aged 5-11 years old can be booked in advance using the National Booking Service.

Clatterbridge Vaccination Centre

• Today, Wednesday, December 14 from 11.15am – 6.45pm (ages 5 and over)

• Wednesday, December 21, 11.15am – 6.45pm (ages 5 and over)

First and second doses and booster doses will all be available at all clinics, and from the Living Well bus.

You can book a vaccination appointment on the National Booking Service here

To find a local walk-in site, click here