Bus travel to Covid-19 vaccination appointments is free under a new Lancashire County Council scheme.

All Lancashire residents can travel to clinics for vaccines and boosters when using any service in Lancashire run by Stagecoach and Coastliner Buses.

Those travelling to appointments must show the driver a text or email on their phones or a letter or other printed document that confirms the appointment for that day.

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The free travel offer is in place until further notice.

County Councillor Charlie Edwards, the cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for people in Lancashire – particularly in some of our more rural areas – to get to the vaccination sites.

“We recognise that not everyone has their own transport, but everyone must have equal opportunity to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

“This is a great initiative, and we hope it will help encourage as many people as possible to get vaccinated – whether that’s a booster or first or second jab.”

Read more: Covid-19 booster jabs offered to all over-18s in Preston and Lancashire

Edwards offered thanks to the bus operators taking part in the scheme.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health for Lancashire County Council, said: “Lancashire is aiming to deliver around 500,000 jabs in the next three weeks – a doubling of the current vaccination rate.

“The NHS is leading the booster vaccination programme and have asked for support from local authorities and other Lancashire partners.

“It’s absolutely vital that we get as many people as possible boosted because we know that against Omicron, two doses do not provide sufficient protection.

“It is also important that we provide easy access to anyone who may not have yet come forward for their first or second jab.”

Read more: Walk-in Covid-19 boosters available for over-18s in Preston and South Ribble

Dr Karunanithi said transport could be a barrier, so it’s hoped this offer will enable more residents to get their jabs and build up vaccine defences.

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