Ipswich Hospital sees thousands more Covid-19 vaccine booster appointments available from today

Suffolk health leaders have said the capacity for booster appointments is being expanded from today across the county, allowing people to get jabbed more easily.

Thousands of additional slots became available online from today at Ipswich and Colchester hospitals.

GP practices, walk in sites and pharmacies have also increased their capacity for jabs.

Local people – aged over 18 – are eligible for a booster vaccination if their second vaccine dose was over three months ago and are encouraged to book their appointments through the National Booking Service website or by attending one of the walk in clinics listed on the site.

Dr Richard West, lead doctor for the local vaccination roll-out, said: “Getting your booster vaccination will mean you have better protection against this deadly virus and will also mean you are protecting others including your family, friends and other people in society.

“As we focus on boosters and make this new target achievable, it will mean some other appointments will need to be postponed until the new year.

“But if we don’t do this now, this latest variant of Covid could be so big that cancellations and disruptions, like the loss of cancer appointments, would be even greater next year.

"We are offering so many different ways of getting your jab and making it easy for people and many people have taken the time out to get this done.

"Anyone who chooses not to take the vaccination is putting themselves and other people at severe risk of infection so please come forward today. Please think of other people.”