The Covid booster vaccination campaign is underway across Lincolnshire, following its Wednesday launch in Grantham.

Health chiefs have stressed the booster, which follows on from two previous vaccinations, will be available to many groups.

They are those aged 50 and over, people living in residential care homes for older adults, frontline health and social care workers, those aged 16-49 with underlying health conditions putting them at higher risk of severe covid, adult carers, and adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals.

The first booster vaccination were given at the Meres Local Vaccination Centre (LVC), Grantham.

Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said: "This really is another major milestone for us in Lincolnshire, and something we have been working extremely hard to prepare for in recent weeks and months. It is great to know we're in a position to move forwards at pace and administer booster vaccinations to everyone who's eligible." Following hot on the heels of the Meres Local Vaccination Centre (LVC) will be the county's two Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston, and the Lincolnshire Showground, both of which began their booster programs today. Rebecca continued: "As with the original rollout of the vaccinations last winter, we will bring sites on incrementally across the county, to ensure coverage of everyone who is eligible for a booster vaccination, and like before people should wait to be contacted - at this stage you will be able to book your appointment online via the National Booking Service or by telephoning 119, or you may be contacted by your GP Practice. "It's important to remember that you should have your booster vaccination at least six months after your second dose. Don't worry if you don't get it as soon as your six months comes up – the optimum window is between six and nine months, so please don't call us or your GP practice, you will be contacted when it is your turn." In addition to the booster campaign, which is available by appointment only, the NHS in Lincolnshire continues to move forwards preparations with its partners to roll out covid vaccinations to healthy 12-15 year-old children, as well as asking people who are immunosuppressed to come forwards for their third primary dose of the covid vaccine.

Rebecca added: "This is about giving everyone the maximum possible protection against covid. We know that if you who are immunosuppressed, due to underlying health conditions or medical treatments, you might have received less protection against covid from two doses of the vaccine, so a third dose will help deliver additional protection."

"It's important to remember that this third dose for immunosuppressed people is part of a primary vaccination schedule – it is separate from any potential booster that may come at a later date and is about improving vaccine effectiveness in these people. If you believe that you are eligible for a third primary dose please discuss this with your hospital consultant or GP who will advise when is the best time for you to have the vaccination."

Meanwhile, first and second doses of the covid vaccination continue to be offered on a walk-in basis or by appointment, whereas the booster vaccinations are only available by appointment.

Booster vaccinations are not be available on a walk-in basis and patients must have a confirmed appointment before attending our vaccination centres.

However, there are walk-in opportunities available to people aged 16 and over on a 'first come, first served' basis for first and second vaccinations as follows (people aged 16 and 17 only require one covid vaccination):

Where is vaccination available?

PRSA MVC, Boston – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance and vaccine availability), first and second doses, 8.30m-7pm seven days a week (NB from w/c 9 August, AZ appointments and walk-ins will only be available on Tuesdays at PRSA).

Lincolnshire Showground MVC – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance and vaccine availability), first and second doses, 8.30am-7pm seven days a week (NB from w/c 9 August, AZ appointments and walk-ins will only be available on Wednesdays at the Showground).

Sheep Market Car Park, Spalding – offering Pfizer first and second doses, 11.30am-3.15pm, Saturday 25th September

The Table Tennis Club, Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins, first and second doses (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance and vaccine availability), 9.30am-12pm Saturday 25th September (and every Saturday morning until the end of October).

Storehouse, Skegness – offering AZ and Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 9am-4.30pm Friday 24th, 8.30am-12pm and 1pm-4.30pm Wednesday 29th, and 10.30am-1pm and 2pm-6.30pm Thursday 30th September.

Marisco Medical Practice, Mablethorpe – offering AZ and Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 9am-4pm Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd, Sunday 10th, Saturday 16th October.

John Coupland Hospital (Trentside Unit), Gainsborough - offering Pfizer and AZ, first and second doses, 8.30am-12pm, Tuesday 28th September.