OLDHAM Council is urging residents to get vaccinated against coronavirus after it was announced people aged 18 and over can now book their first jab.

With cases rising faster in the borough’s younger population, the local authority say it is important all adults receive protection from Covid-19, especially with the threat posed by new variants.

More than 135,370 registered patients in the borough have had one of two doses and more than half of the Oldham's adult population (100,314) have had both.

Cabinet member for health and social care at the council, Cllr Zahid Chauhan OBE, said: “As we all know, the vaccine is playing a massive role in our return to normality.

“Without it we wouldn’t be enjoying some of things we can do today, like visiting our favourite restaurants and bars.

“That is why it’s incredibly important for us to keep up this momentum by vaccinating as many people as we can, so we can get back to a life that doesn’t involve wearing a face covering or maintaining social distance from our loved ones.

“The work and effort that has gone in so far has been nothing short of incredible and I can’t put into words how proud and thankful I am of every single person who has made this happen.

“So, if you haven’t yet booked your first dose, please come forward today and get the protection you need to keep you, and those around you, safe.

“Similarly, if you’ve had your first jab and think that’s job done, please may I remind you that whilst the first dose gives you good protection, your second dose provides stronger and longer-lasting protection against the virus which is why we ask you to have two.

“We’re doing an incredible amount of work in Oldham to ensure we can provide you with as many opportunities as possible to have the vaccine, including pop-up vaccination clinics, so please keep an eye on our channels for the latest information.”

A pop-up vaccination clinic for first doses of the Pfizer vaccine has been held at the Royal Oldham Hospital’s Dinwoodie Centre today from 8.30am until 6.30pm.

Residents are being advised to bring their NHS number with them if they have it, and if they do not they can look for it at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number

Here are the figures for Oldham registered doses:

       First doses (per cent)                                   Second doses ( per cent)

Care home residents 1,305 94.36 per cent         1,239 89.59 per cent

80+           8603 95.21 per cent                          8,411 93.08 per cent

75+          7,411 95.84 per cent                          7,294 94.32 per cent

70+CEV   19,365 90.33 per cent                       18,064 84.26 per cent

65+           9,174 92.13 per cent                        8,830 88.67 per cent

16-64 UHC 24,158 79.82 per cent                    20,546 67.88 per cent

60+           5,941 87.59 per cent                       5,545 81.75 per cent

55+           8,261 85.04 per cent                       7,277 74.91 per cent

50+            9,254 82.57 per cent                     7,190 64.16 per cent

40-49         16,686 70.12 per cent                   6,499 27.31 per cent

30-39         15,350 51.31 per cent                   5,271 17.62 per cent

18-29        9,862 29.17 per cent                      4,148 12.27 per cent

Total         135,370 69.41 per cent                 100,314 51.43 per cent