EXTRA vaccine slots are being offered this weekend so people can walk in and get jabbed – especially while they're out shopping.

Health bosses are urging people to get protected against Covid to give everyone the best chance of having a normal Christmas.

Extra capacity is being made available at walk-in vaccination sites this Saturday and Sunday to make it more convenient for people to get their jabs. There will be no need to book in advance.

Booster jabs and second doses of the vaccine will be available to anyone eligible, as well as first doses of the vaccine for those yet to receive one.

Lancashire and South Cumbria vaccination programme senior responsible officer Jane Scattergood said: “Many of us are starting to get ready for Christmas, but please along with the presents, turkey and tinsel, make sure vaccinations are part of your preparations.

“The coronavirus vaccine is the best way to make sure you have a great festive season and to reduce the risk of spreading the virus when visiting friends and family.

“It is just as important to get vaccinated now as it was on day one of the programme,

“That’s why we’ve tried to make it as easy as possible to get your Covid jabs this weekend and help you tick one more job off your Christmas list.”

Since the start of the vaccination programme over 700,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been given in East Lancashire.

All children and young people aged 12-15 will be, or have been, offered a Covid-19 vaccine at school. If they are yet to receive the vaccine, they can visit a walk-in site.

Everyone aged 16 and over is eligible for the first and second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Covid-19 booster vaccines are currently being offered to those aged 40 and over. People are eligible for the booster vaccine six months after their second jab.

Vaccination walk-in centres can be found using the national site finder - https://bit.ly/VacEastLancs