Around 2 thirds of eligible people in Wolverhampton have now received their Covid-19 booster jab, increasing their protection against the potentially deadly virus this winter.

Booster vaccinations are available to eligible residents 6 months after they have had their second dose, and can now be booked up to a month before they are due. To make an appointment, please call 119 or visit Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Boosters are available to anyone aged 50 and over, people who live and work in care homes, frontline health and social care workers, people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19, people who are a main carer for someone at high risk from Covid-19 and people who live with someone who is more likely to get infections. Pregnant women in one of these eligible groups can also get a booster dose.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The Covid-19 vaccine has had a clear impact, both helping to protect people from this deadly virus and reducing hospitalisations.

"However, data shows that the protection from infection provided by vaccines will wane over time. That's why it is important to get your booster, and to top up your immunity over the winter months – so, to keep yourself, your loved ones and everyone else safe, please book your booster when you can.

“Remember that you cannot have the booster until six months have passed since you had your second dose, but you can now book it a month before it's due."

She added: “It’s great news that around 2 thirds of eligible residents have already had their booster, and I would urge the other third to get theirs as soon as possible.”

First and second doses of the vaccination remain available to anyone who hasn't already had it, and they are encouraged to come forward to protect themselves and others. They can get these without an appointment at walk in centres operating throughout Wolverhampton – for details, please visit COVID-19 vaccination – or they can book a jab by calling 119 or visiting Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Latest figures show there were 279.9 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last 7 days. That means 736 people tested positive for the virus in that same period – though the true number of cases will likely be higher.