RESIDENTS are urged to book their Covid vaccinations amid a surge in cases across the country.

Brighton and Hove City Council have said that, while vaccination sites across the city and beyond are extremely busy, NHS staff are working incredibly hard to make more appointments available on the National Booking System.

All adults in England are now able to book a booster vaccination to ensure their protection against the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The council said that mobile vaccination services have also been set up in certain areas to help particular communities access their vaccines.

However, vaccination centres at Churchill Square and Brighton Racecourse are no longer accepting walk-ins to allow more vaccinations to be given each day. The public urged not to try and turn up to get their vaccine without an appointment, as they will be turned away.

Councillor Sue Shanks, who chairs the health and wellbeing board, said: "Demand for vaccines is currently extremely high and I know many residents have struggled to book suitable appointments or have been queuing for hours to try to get a vaccine at a walk-in site.

"Vaccination teams are working incredibly hard to make vaccine appointments available. Please do what you can to help them and book your vaccine on the National Booking system. If you can’t book at first, please keep trying.

"Please leave the local and dedicated mobile walk-in sites for the specific communities they are being arranged for.

"There’s lots of reasons why some people can’t or won’t use the larger sites, so if you can, please use the National Booking system and keep the walk-ins free for those that really need them."

Residents in the city are also advised to regularly test themselves for Covid when visiting family, meeting friends for drinks, going shopping or going to events leading up to Christmas.

Lateral flow testing kits available for free from Hove Town Hall in Tisbury Road from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and Jubilee Library in Jubilee Street from 10am to 5pm every day.

Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty said: "We know that many residents are struggling to get hold of lateral flow test kits online. Stocks have been limited in pharmacies over the last few days too.

"Our understanding from the UK Health Security Agency is that the national shortage is to do with the distribution of the tests rather than stocks, which will be replenished.

"With the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant and people out socialising or visiting family over the next few weeks, it has never been more important that we all test whenever we’re mixing with other households so we know we’re not spreading Covid."

Where to get help and support

Support is available for those struggling to get to their vaccination appointment, with a free transport service available to help people who do not have the means to travel. This can be booked on 01444 275008 from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Ageing Well also provide help to people to get to mobile vaccination services, available on 07770 061072.

YMCA Youth Advice Centre offer a vaccine buddy scheme for young people in Brighton and Hove aged under 26 years old, who need support with booking, transport or finding locations. Staff can also go with them to their appointment. More information is available at YACCOVIDFUND@ymcadlg.org and 01273 624432.

Information about getting vaccines in Sussex can be found at www.sussexhealthcare.uk/get-my-jab.

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