Today a COVID-19 vaccination bus will launch, visiting various areas over the coming weeks with low vaccine take up.
The bus is the result of a collaboration between NHS workers in the city, Arriva, and Liverpool City Council.
Ahead of each location details will be shared on whether a drop-in service will be offered, or if an appointment will be required.
People in more deprived areas of the city, as well as black and other ethnic minority communities, are currently less likely to have had the vaccine.
You are eligible for the first dose of the vaccine if you:
- Are over the age of 50
- Are clinically vulnerable
- Have an underlying health condition which places you at higher risk of the virus
- Have a learning disability
- Are an unpaid carer
- Are a frontline health or social care worker
Anyone over the age of 45 is currently eligible for the vaccine, but the bus will only offer jabs to people over 50 to ensure those most at risk will be prioritised.
People aged 45-49 should wait for their GP to contact them.
At each spot, the Red Cross and other volunteers will go door-to-door and leaflet in the area visited to ensure residents are informed.
Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool said: “Due to the determination of our city to do the right thing and our commitment to looking after ourselves and each other, our cases are now below the national average, with around 15 cases per 100,000 people.
“Coupled with a good testing offer and the successful roll out of our vaccination programme, we are making good progress and should be really proud of how far we’ve come.
“Getting vaccinated gives you the best protection against coronavirus, and although some people may have experienced mild side-affects, this is a sign that the vaccine is working and triggering your immune response.
“It’s also worth saying that feeling unwell after the second dose is much less common, so I encourage everybody to take up the offer of a vaccine when your opportunity arises.”
Dr Fiona Lemmens, a local GP and Chair of NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “The COVID-19 vaccination programme has been going really well in Liverpool.
“We’ve already provided more than 270,000 vaccinations across the city, and our hope is that by taking the vaccination bus even closer to where people live, we’ll be able to reach many more people who may have struggled to get to a clinic so far.
“We know that some people might feel worried about having the vaccine, but we really want to reassure everyone that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective.
“Having it is the best possible way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the virus, and help us all get life back to normal as quickly as possible – so please do visit the bus when it’s in your area, and get vaccinated!”
