LOCAL people have been urged to get their booster jab before the new year as the NHS continues its efforts to protect people against the Omicron variant. 

The Covid-19 vaccination programme ramped up in the middle of December to offer every eligible person aged 18 and over the chance to get their booster before the new year.

Provisional data shows over 1.2 million vaccinations have been administered in Somerset, including over 320,000 booster jabs. 

This means approximately 75 per cent of eligible people have received their booster jab against a target of 80 per cent by the end of the year.

Andy Heron, joint senior responsible officer for the programme in Somerset, said: "Across our county, we have pulled out all the stops to ramp up capacity in our vaccination centres and open pop up clinics so that everyone in Somerset who is eligible for a booster jab, or has yet to have their first or second vaccinations, can come forward and protect themselves against Covid-19.

"We have had a fantastic response, but we are still urging people to come forward.

"Vaccinators are standing by in walk-in clinics to give you your booster."

Dr Fiona Dempsey, consultant in intensive care at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, has emphasised the importance of being fully vaccinated.

She said: "Since about August, virtually every patient who has come into our critical care unit has been unvaccinated.

"We have cared for the odd patient in the unit who has been vaccinated, but those patients have had significant other things wrong with them.

"I have had to hold the hands of, and speak to, people who have lost their loved ones who were unvaccinated.

"To protect yourself, your loved ones, and the NHS, I urge anyone who is not fully vaccinated to come forward and get their jabs."

You can book a vaccination appointment on the National Booking System or by calling 119.

Walk-in vaccinations are also available at these locations:

Taunton: 

Firepool (Canal Road, Taunton, TA1 1NY),
Thursday, December 30 from 8.30am until 9.30pm

Street: 

Strode College (Church Road, Street, BA16 0AB),
Thursday, December 30, from 9am until 5pm. 

Yeovil:

Haynes Motor Museum (Sparkford, Yeovil, BA22 7LH),
Thursday, December 30 from 8.30am until 6pm

Shepton Mallett:

Mendip District Council Campus (Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BS4 5BT),
Thursday, December 30, and Friday, December 31 from 10am until 4pm

Cheddar:

Winchester Farm (BS27 3RP), Thursday, December 30 from 9am until  4pm, and Friday, 31 December from 9am until 1pm

Bridgwater:

Bridgwater Town Hall (High Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3BL),
Tuesday, January 4 to Friday, January 7 from 9am until 5pm