Tag: booster vaccine

Get Boosted Now text message goes out from Boxing Day

As part of the national Get Boosted Now campaign to protect against Omicron, a text will be sent out from Boxing Day reminding people to get jabbed.

  • Every adult needs a COVID-19 booster vaccine to protect against Omicron
  • In partnership with UK phone networks, the UK Government will send out SMS texts on Boxing Day urging people to get a booster
  • The SMS texts are part of the Get Boosted Now campaign and the latest push in a record-breaking week for daily vaccinations

From yesterday (26 December) people across the UK will receive a text message reminding them to get a booster vaccine to protect us all from the spread of the Omicron.

More than 32 million people – over 60% of adults in the UK – have now had their COVID-19 booster.

The expansion of the booster programme continues at a rapid pace, with all adults able to get their life-saving jab by booking online through the National Booking Service or by visiting their nearest walk-in vaccination centre.

This week, more vaccination sites have opened across the country, making it as easy as possible to Get Boosted Now, including football stadiums and shopping centres.

While two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine provides strong protection against the Delta variant, data from the UK Health Security Agency shows vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection is substantially reduced against Omicron with just two doses over time – but a third dose provides between 60% and 70% protection against symptomatic infection from Omicron two to four weeks after the booster is given.

It is vital to get a first and second jab in order to be eligible for a booster to get the vital protection against Omicron.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We are texting this Boxing Day for all eligible adults to Get Boosted Now. It has never been as important to get protected with the booster – so whether it is in between turkey sandwiches or before the Boxing Day fixtures, whatever your traditions make the booster a part of them this year.

“Millions of vaccine slots are available through the festive calendar so if you’re not boosted and you get this text, take up the offer and get vaccinated.”

Some venues and events in England now require people to have two COVID-19 vaccines or proof of a negative test as a condition of entry. People can access their NHS COVID Pass digitally or receive a paper copy once they have been doubled jabbed.

HMG would like to thank the Mobile Network Operators for their assistance in helping deliver the vitally important Get Boosted Now message.

Vaccination Clinics in NHS Lothian

Adults over the age of 18 are being urged, where possible, to book their booster vaccination appointment in advance using the online portal to help avoid queues and keep everyone safe. 

You can book your appointment at: http://www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinebooking

When you book an appointment, you can select the venue that you wish to attend. Confirmation of your booking, including the time and location will be sent to the email address linked to your portal registration.

DROP- IN CLINICS FOR BOOSTER VACCINE

Drop-in clinics for booster vaccinations for people over the age of 40 have been rolled out in some vaccination clinics across Lothian. However, it must be stressed that if you choose to use a drop-in clinic, instead of booking an appointment in advance, you may have to wait in queues to be seen.

If you choose to drop-in, please help keep everyone safe by wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, even if you have to queue outside. If you have already booked an appointment and choose to drop-in beforehand, please cancel your slot to ensure it doesn’t go to waste.

There are lists of vaccination clinics running across Lothian which offer pre-booked appointment slots, but only some in East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian will offer dedicated drop-in clinics for people aged 40 and over.

Available Drop-in clinics

Edinburgh:  

Allermuir Health Centre, 165 Colinton Mains Drive, Edinburgh EH13 9AFSaturday and Sunday9.30am – 3.30pm
Craigmillar Medical Centre, 106 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh EH16 4DTSaturday and Sunday9.30am – 3.30pm
Tollcross Health Centre, Ponton Street, Edinburgh EH3 9PXSaturday and Sunday9.30am – 3.30pm
Gracemount Health Centre, 24 Gracemount Drive, Edinburgh EH16 6RNSaturday and Sunday9.30am – 3.30pm
Leith Community Treatment Centre, 12 Junction Place, Edinburgh EH6 5JQ7 days9.30 – 11.30am – 1 -6pm (last drop in 3.30pm Saturday and Sunday)
Pennywell All Care Centre, 1 Macmillan Crescent, Edinburgh EH4 4WL7 days9.30 – 11.30am – 1 -3pm
Sighthill Health Centre, 380 Calder Road, Edinburgh EH11 4AU7 days9.30 – 11.30am – 1 -3pm
Lowland Hall, Royal Vaccination Centre, Ingleston, Newbridge EH28 8NB7 days9.30am – 6.30pm
Ocean Terminal (first floor)7 days12 – 6.30pm
Conan Doyle Medical Centre, 4 Nether Liberton Loan, Edinburgh EH16 5TYSaturday9.30am – 3.30pm
Mountcastle Health Centre, 132 Mountcastle Drive South, Edinburgh EH15 3LLSaturday9.30am – 3.30pm
South Queensferry Medical Practice, 41 The Loan, South Queensferry EH30 9HASaturday9.30am – 3.30pm
Pentlands Medical Centre, 44 Pentland View, Currie EH14 5QBSunday9.30am – 3.30pm


You can find out more about all the vaccination clinics running across Lothian and stay up to date with the latest news via the websites of the Health and Social Care Partnerships:

·       Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership

·       West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership

·       Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership

·       East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership

1st and 2nd DOSES

We are still encouraging those who have yet to receive their first dose or who are now due their second dose of the COVID vaccine to come forward.

Please note, as per the latest Scottish Government guidance, we are currently not offering second doses for those aged 12-15.

AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are available at all the below locations. If you are using public transport to get to your appointment, see details below. You might find it useful to plan your journey either on Traveline Scotland’s website or Lothian Buses.

Pyramids Business Park, Easter Inch Steadings, Bathgate EH48 2EH. Mon-Sun, 08:00-19:00

You can get directions for driving here, and Lothian Buses’ travel advice is here. 

Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Vaccination Centre, Ingliston. Mon-Sun, 08:00-19:00

You can use Lothian Buses to attend the mass vaccination centre at Lowland Hall; see this document for more information. 

Gorebridge Vaccination Centre, Hunterfield Road, Gorebridge, EH23 4TX. Mon-Sun, 08:00-19:00

If you’re travelling to Gorebridge Vaccination Centre by bus, you can plan your journey using Borders Buses or Traveline Scotland (as mentioned above). 

Edinburgh, Leith: Ocean Terminal, 74 Ocean Dr, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ. Mon-Sun, 11:00-19:00.

Edinburgh, Leith: Leith Community Treatment Centre, Junction Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5JQ. Mon-Fri, 08:30-12:00 / 13:00-18:00. 

Bonnyrigg: Midlothian Community Hospital, 70 Eskbank Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3ND. Mon-Fri, 08:00-19:00. 

Haddington: East Lothian Community Hospital, Alderston Road, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3PF.  Open for appointments only, between 8.20am and 4.30pm, seven days a week. Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca all available. 

Musselburgh: Musselburgh Primary Care Centre, Inveresk Rd, East Lothian, Musselburgh EH21 7BP. Open for appointments only seven days a week between 8.20am and 4.30pm. 

Chief Medical Officer urges public to Get Boosted Now

New advert shows Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty urging public to get COVID-19 booster jab

  • Part of new multimedia marketing blitz as booster rollout accelerates to offer all adults in England a jab by end of the year
  • This comes as new milestone hit with 24 million boosters given in UK and 75% of over 50s boosted
  • Data shows booster is needed to protect against the Omicron variant

Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Chris Whitty is calling on the public to get a booster vaccination, in a nationwide advertising campaign launched yesterday (Tuesday 14 December) to further galvanise the booster programme.

This comes as a total of 24 million boosters and third doses have now been administered in the UK.

75% of over 50 year-olds across the UK have had their booster or third dose and over 1 million people have booked a booster vaccination appointment since the National Booking Service opened yesterday to people aged over 30 in England. The booking service will expand to all adults in England tomorrow.

The NHS in England experienced its busiest Monday ever for vaccinations this week since the rollout began in December last year when 418,000 boosters were delivered, with 185,000 of these delivered by community pharmacies.

The latest preliminary data has shown vaccine efficacy against symptomatic infection is substantially reduced against Omicron with just two doses, but a booster pushes protection back up to over 70%, showing how vital the top up jab is to bolster immunity.

In the advert, Professor Whitty says: “There is a new variant of COVID-19 – Omicron – which is highly infectious and spreading fast.

“Every adult in the country needs to get a COVID-19 booster vaccine.

“Boosters give you the best possible protection against the virus and should significantly reduce your risk of serious illness and hospitalisation.

“Get your COVID-19 booster vaccine to strengthen your protection. Please, get boosted now.”

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “We know a booster jab increases protection against the Omicron variant and in our race against the virus it’s crucial everyone gets their top-up jab.

“Our heroic NHS staff and volunteers are working around the clock to speed up our vaccination programme, helping millions of people to get boosted now – so play your part, roll up your sleeves and get protected.”

Data suggests Omicron is extremely transmissible and is rapidly becoming the dominant variant as cases double every 2 to 3 days. The Chief Medical Officer is encouraging “every adult in the country” to get a booster vaccine and strengthen their protection.

The UK has the fastest booster rollout in Europe, with over 23 million people having received their boost so far, but to stay ahead in this race against the virus the booster programme is opening up to give every adult the chance to get their booster before the New Year.

To boost the booster programme the UK government and the NHS are:

  • Opening new vaccination sites across the country, including pop up and mobile sites
  • Increasing opening times of vaccination sites to 7 days a week
  • Asking GPs and pharmacies to do more vaccinations
  • Bringing in 750 Armed Forces Personnel and 41 military planners in every region to help coordinate the national effort