West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has today (December 16) issued a rallying cry to the region for people to come forward and receive their COVID-19 booster jab.

The Mayor’s plea comes after he visited the Saddlers Vaccination Centre in Walsall this morning to receive his booster jab, more than a month after recovering from the virus.

The Saddlers Vaccination Centre is just one of a number of walk-in centres now open across the West Midlands, as the NHS offers every adult in the region a third ‘booster’ jab to protect against the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, gets his booster jab at the Saddlers Vaccination Centre in Walsall

The Mayor said: “Thanks to the effectiveness and success of the vaccine programme here in the West Midlands, we have been able to enjoy a summer with limited restrictions that has seen businesses and our region’s economy start to bounce back.

“But with the spread of the new Omicron variant, that is all under threat again – along with people’s lives. The new restrictions introduced by the Government will help to slow the spread, but we know there is no greater defence against the virus than the vaccine.

“This latest booster jab is proven to help people who have been double-jabbed maintain a high level of protection, which is why it is so important that everyone who is eligible comes forward.

“Whether it is your third jab or your first jab, the NHS stands ready to help you and your loved ones get protected from this deadly virus.”

Sally Roberts, the chief nursing officer for NHS Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, added: “It’s great to see the Mayor coming forward for his vital booster jab today and I’d encourage everyone to follow his example.

“We are now seeing a considerable increase in the number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant and it is likely there are many more cases of this variant in the community than those confirmed by testing.

“The booster jab is proven to help people who have been double-jabbed maintain a high level of protection, which is why we need everyone to come forward and take up the offer of a booster as soon as they’re eligible – to help protect themselves and those around them.

"The best way to ensure you get a vital booster jab is to make an appointment through the National Booking System or grab a jab at one of our walk-in clinics across the area, as soon as possible.” 

Adults aged 18 and over who had their second dose over three months ago are now eligible for a booster jab.

To book a vaccine appointment online or to find your nearest walk-in centre, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/