The drive to administer booster jabs of the Covid-19 vaccine is well under way in Manchester.
As winter approaches residents in the city are being contacted by their GP or the NHS to let them know they are eligible for a booster jab.
These boosters are a key part of the strategy to reduce the number of new infections throughout the winter, and provide extra protection for vulnerable residents.
Across Greater Manchester there have already been more than 115,000 boosters given with thousands more set for the coming weeks.
So far in Manchester there have been 27,000 boosters administered as well as 51,000 flu jabs.
A letter has been sent to all residents in Manchester aged 70 and above alerting them that they will be eligible for a booster jab.
The aim is to ensure that everyone eligible for their booster can get one by the end of December.
David Regan, Manchester’s Director of Public Health said: “The booster programme will be vital this winter giving that layer of additional protection for some of our city’s most vulnerable residents.
“Your local GP or the national NHS Team will be contacting people to organise their appointments and I would urge anyone to take up the opportunity to get jabbed when offered an appointment.”
Dr. Manisha Kumar, Medical Director at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning said: “We have been very pleased with the roll out of the vaccine programme in Manchester, but as we move into winter we have to be aware of the risks that poses.
“It is a season where coughs, colds and other airborne viruses are common and with the added risk of seasonal flu we want to make sure that older and vulnerable residents have the most protection possible.
“The booster programme is just one way we’re working to keep people safe this winter.”
Visit www.manchester.gov.uk/winter for more information about staying safe against Covid and flu.