Seaforth Village Surgery is open this week (17 – 21 August) as a COVID-19 vaccination site for south Sefton residents aged 16 and above who can either walk in for their jab or book an appointment.

The vaccination site, being run by GP practices in Seaforth and Litherland known as a primary care network, is re-opening after a week’s break to offer another way for local residents to get jabbed.

This week, Seaforth is open for walk-ins from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6.30pm. This site will be offering jabs to those aged 16 and 17, as well as all over 18 year olds. If people do want to book they can call 07979 938 229 or book via their own GP practice if they are registered with a GP in south Sefton.

Following this week the dates and opening times of Seaforth Village Surgery and other locations will be posted on the CCG website every Monday: www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk

While the surgery was closed the vaccination bus visited Asda in Bootle for three days and was a great success with 119 residents being vaccinated. The bus returns this Thursday 19 August to Asda car park on Strand Road, 10am-4pm, offering residents aged 18 and above another way to get their COVID-19 jab.

The various other ways you can get your vaccination in Sefton are:

• Visit www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk for the up to date grab a jab walk-in sites
• Book an appointment at one of the Sefton pharmacy-led vaccination sites or at one of the 1,600 vaccination centres across the country via the national booking service online: uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119
• Book direct with the Aintree Hospital Hub: https://aintreeuniversityhospital.nhsbookings.com/v2/#book/service/7/count/1/provider/any/

People who attend a walk-in clinic for their first dose will have their vaccination record updated online and will then be able to book in their second dose appointment using the national booking system.

Second jabs are also available at some of the walk-ins, if it has been at least eight weeks since the first dose and you can check which are offering both doses on the CCG website.

Getting the second dose is vital to getting longer lasting and maximum protection offered by the vaccines, with recent research also showing they are highly effective against the Delta strain of the virus.

Patients are reminded that although COVID restrictions ended in England on 19 July that when they are visiting healthcare facilities they must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules to protect themselves, other and vulnerable patients and staff.