A TYNEDALE GP is encouraging those eligible to come forward for their Covid-19 booster jab when invited to do so.

Booster vaccine doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from Covid-19 who have had a 2nd dose of a vaccine at least six months ago.

Some people in the district will have already received an invitation from the NHS to book an appointment at the Centre for Life in Newcastle or at a community pharmacy.

But the West Northumberland Primary Care Network GP practices in Tynedale are also setting up their own service, which will allow residents to receive their booster jabs more locally at the Hexham Mart vaccination site.

The site had previously been used as a national vaccination site, but closed earlier this month.

It has now been taken over by the West Northumberland PCN and will become operational from next week, for a couple of days each week.

People will receive an invite to get their booster jab at the Hexham Mart site from their GP surgery when they are eligible.

Clinical Director for West Northumberland PCN Dr John Green said: "The booster is a really timely way to top up our antibody levels before the winter. Viral illnesses do surge in the winter, and we do need to look after one another and the NHS."

Hexham MP Guy Opperman recently received his third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Mr Opperman suffered a horse-riding accident 15 years ago, where he lost his spleen, putting the MP in the most vulnerable category.

He said: "I recently got the call from the NHS to receive my booster jab. I am incredibly proud of our local NHS who have achieved very high vaccination rates across Tynedale and Ponteland.

"However, Covid has not gone away, and the booster programme will ensure that those who are the most vulnerable in our community receive the maximum protection from the virus. When you get the call please come forward to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones.’’

Dr Green also encouraged those who have not had their first or second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to get them.

"We are finding that many of the people who are being admitted to hospital who are more poorly with Covid are ones that haven't had a vaccine yet. So I would really encourage people to get vaccinated," he said.

"That's something we can support through the Mart site. We won't turn anyone away who hasn't been vaccinated, so if Hexham is convenient for them, they can call in if we're vaccinating that day and we can give them their vaccine."