OLDHAM Council has welcomed the government's move to roll out coronavirus booster jabs to "protect the most vulnerable" – but has called on people who have not yet been vaccinated to come forward.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said Covid-19 booster jabs will start being offered from next week.

The decision comes after a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), who say around 30m people should be offered a third dose.

The JCVI said boosters should be given at least six months after a person has had their second dose with the Pfizer-BioNTech jab recommended. Those eligible for the third jab include over 50s, younger adults with health conditions and frontline health and care workers.

The local authority has greeted the arrival of the booster jabs. Over 50s and everyone else eligible for booster jabs will be contacted in upcoming weeks when their jabs are ready.

But the council is urging people who have not had their first or second coronavirus vaccinations to take up the offer.

Director of public health at Oldham Council, Katrina Stephens, said: “The recently announced Covid-19 booster jabs will be an effective way to keep yourself protected from the effects of coronavirus.

"While these booster jabs are being put in place to protect the most vulnerable, we must keep on encouraging those who have not yet had their first or second jab to get their vaccinations.

“With more people vaccinated there’s less of a chance for the virus to spread, and if you are vaccinated you are less likely to become seriously ill if you do get Covid, so it’s really important everyone is getting both vaccines when offered.”

The council say if you are aged 18 and over you can book a vaccination appointment by clicking here.

Those aged 16 and 17 can get a vaccine at many Oldham locations by appointment or from a drop-in visit. A list of locations can be viewed by clicking here.

Youngsters aged 12 to 15 will be offered a vaccine through their school or educational setting in coming weeks.

At a Downing Street briefing, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, said: “We know that this pandemic is still active, we are not past the pandemic, we are in an active phase still.

We know this winter could be bumpy at times and we know that winter viruses such as flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are highly likely to make their returns. So with that in mind, the aim if the game, the mantra, is to stay on top of things.”