Liverpool is hosting a vaccine Super Sunday this weekend

The Omicron variant of Covid is spreading and it is now a very serious threat to Liverpool.

A third of Liverpool adults still haven’t had two doses, with 7 in 10 not yet receiving their booster.

With the NHS vaccination programme now in a race to protect against the Omicron variant, a ‘pop-up’ vaccination centre is opening this Sunday at Wavertree Athletics Centre, Wellington Rd, Wavertree, L15 4LE.

Doors will open at 8.30 am with first, second and booster doses of Pfizer available to anyone aged 16 and over.

The ‘drop-in’ centre is running until 7 p.m. and has capacity for over 100 vaccinations an hour – with no appointment needed.

With the gap between second doses and boosters now reduced to 3 months, alongside the removal of the 15-minute wait post vaccine, lots more people will be able to have their jabs.

People attending the pop-up will need to wear a face covering and wrap up – there are likely to be long queues throughout the day.

If people have symptoms, however mild – they should not attend.

If Wavertree isn’t an accessible location, there are other ‘drop -in’ clinics operating in Liverpool over the weekend, including a dedicated clinic at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for young people aged 12-15.

Saturday 18 December 2021

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Institute in the Park (adjacent to main hospital), Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, from 8:30am to 7:30pm (children aged 12-15, their family and NHS staff only) – Full criteria here.

Holy Rosary Parish Hall, Aintree Lane, Liverpool, L10 2JJ, 9am to 4:30pm (Pfizer only | Booster available)

Princes Park Health Centre, Bentley Road, Liverpool, L8 0SY, from 12pm to 4pm (Pfizer only | Booster available)

Image by Gareth Jones

Sunday 19 December 2021

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Institute in the Park (adjacent to main hospital), Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, from 8:30am to 7:30pm (children aged 12-15, their family and NHS staff only)

Holy Rosary Parish Hall, Aintree Lane, Liverpool, L10 2JJ, from 9am to 4:45pm (Pfizer only | Booster available)

Kensington Portakabin, Jubilee Sports Bank, Jubilee Drive, L7 8SJ, from 11am to 6pm (Pfizer only | Booster available)9.

Cllr Frazer Lake, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health said:

“I am now very worried that too many people will fall ill with Covid at the same time – meaning our hospitals won’t be able to treat everyone who needs help.

A third of adults still haven’t had both doses, and with the booster programme ramping up, I’m pleased we’ve been able to re-purpose the Athletics Centre as a ‘pop-up’ vaccination hub and support access to the vaccine.

I need everyone who hasn’t yet come forward to think carefully about the risk they are taking by not getting vaccinated and remind them that it’s never too late.”

Director of Public Health for Liverpool, Matt Ashton said:

“The infection rate was already high and increasing in Liverpool, and this week we’ve seen the highest number of daily cases ever recorded across the UK.

The spread is causing multiple outbreaks in our communities and is already causing disruption to our health and social care services, hospitality and businesses in the city.

We do have a good offer for both bookable and drop-in vaccination in Liverpool, but with the programme being accelerated, and 7 in 10 of those eligible not yet having had their booster, we are really pleased that we have managed to add extra capacity to the system quickly.”

Dr Fiona Lemmens, local GP and Chair of NHS Liverpool CCG said:

“As health professionals, we really want to urge people across our city not to delay being vaccinated in the run up to the Christmas break.

The NHS has been working tirelessly to ensure that every adult is offered the chance to book a booster jab before the end of the year, in a race to protect the nation against the new Omicron variant.

Over the coming days, opening hours for vaccine centres will continue to be extended and many more appointments will be made available at both existing and new local vaccination centres – but we now need the people of Liverpool to play their part too, and to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help prevent this next wave of the virus hitting our city badly.”

Appointments can also be booked ahead online here or by calling 119.