WOW ‘Weekend of Walk-ins’ boost to North West vaccine programme

Covid-19 vaccination services across the North West are to stage a bumper Weekend of Walk-ins (WOW) to further increase the number of people with protection against Covid-19.

The extended WOW weekend, which runs from the evening of Thursday 17 June to Sunday, 20 June, aims to make it easier and more convenient than ever for eligible people who haven’t had their vaccine yet to come forward - crucially boosting the numbers of people receiving their first and second dose jabs.

It comes as the NHS works through the final cohorts to be called for their vaccine, with those aged 21 and 22 now being invited for their vaccine, leaving only 18 to 20-year olds yet to get the call.

People will be able to choose from more than 30 mobile, pop up and pharmacy-led vaccine sites across the North West, with no appointment needed. Clinic dates and times vary - a full list of participating sites can be found here:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-west/wow-weekend-of-walk-ins/

Vaccines will be available on a first come, first served basis and those with appointments at participating clinics will be able to attend at their timed slot and receive their vaccine as planned.

The initiative will also support efforts to accelerate second doses for those aged 40 and over, health and social care workers, unpaid carers and people at higher clinical risk, who will be able to receive their second dose from 8 weeks after their first, instead of 12.

The weekend of walk-ins will kick off with a match day drop-in vaccine clinic at St Helens Rugby Stadium ahead of the Saints-Warrington game on 17 June.

More than 7.7 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been given in the North West since the vaccination programme – the largest in NHS history – launched six months ago.

Regional Director of Commissioning, Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, said: “With the help of NHS staff, partners and volunteers, we’ve made incredible progress with the vaccine programme in the North West and we’re going to boost that success further still with our weekend of walk-ins.

“We know that younger people have busy work, family and social commitments – especially with the Euros football tournament taking place at the moment - and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to come forward quickly when they become eligible.

“We’d also love to welcome people in earlier cohorts who haven’t come forward yet to our walk-in vaccine sessions and if they’ve got any questions, they’ll be able to chat to one of the staff on site first.”

Walk-in first dose clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine.

Walk-in second dose clinics will offer the Astra Zeneca (AZ) vaccine to people who received AZ as their first dose 8 or more weeks ago.

For further information please contact the NHS England and NHS Improvement – North West media team on:

england.nwmedia@nhs.net

or 07736 484 533.