Today marks a year since the Covid vaccination roll out in Preston and Lancashire

The Covid vaccination queuing area outside Preston Bus Station and opposite the NHS hub in St John's Pic: Tony Worrall — It has been a year since vaccinations were first offered against Covid. Pic: Tony Worrall

The amazing efforts from NHS staff, local partners and volunteers are being praised as Preston and Lancashire mark the first anniversary of the biggest vaccination programme in history.

In the 12 months since the programme started on December 8 2020, more than 3 million doses have been given, including around 550,000 booster jabs, at GP practices, pharmacies, hospital hubs, vaccination centres, schools and community buildings in Lancashire and South Cumbria, as well as a range of mobile sites at locations ranging from football stadiums to music festivals.

Jane Scattergood, senior responsible officer for the Lancashire and South Cumbria vaccination programme, said: “Everyone involved in the vaccination programme has played their part in making it the success that it has been.

“The hard work and dedication from the vaccination teams across our counties has seen us deliver an incredible 3 million doses in just 12 months, which has played a huge part in protecting our citizens from the virus.

“We are also grateful to the thousands of people who have come forward to apply for voluntary roles enabling us to roll out the vaccine programme at pace to our local population.

“While it is a time to reflect on a successful year, it is still just as important that those who haven’t already been vaccinated, or are due a second or booster dose, come forward and make sure you and your loved ones are protected.”

The Covid-19 vaccine is available to everyone aged 12 and over. Booster vaccines are currently offered six months after the second dose to everyone aged 40 and over, frontline health and social care workers and those aged 16 and over with an underlying health condition putting them at greater risk from the virus.

Following JCVI guidance to accelerate the vaccination programme in response to the potential threat from the new Omicron variant, the NHS is working on plans to offer a booster dose to everyone aged 18 and over from three months after the second dose. The NHS will tell people when it is their turn to have the booster vaccine.

You can book your COVID-19 jab on the National Booking Service at nhs.uk/covidvaccine or find a walk-in site near you at: www.healthierlsc.co.uk/getmyjab