Black Country vaccinations: Over-50s can get jab without appointment as shortage looms
People aged 50 and above can now get vaccinated without an appointment as the region faces a shortage of the jab next month.
For the first time since the roll out began people aged 50 and over, or who have underlying health conditions, can turn up at three Black Country sites and get a vaccine without booking in advance.
It runs until April 2, with health chiefs warning that vaccine shortages are likely after this date, meaning a longer wait for anyone who wants to get the jab.
It is understood that some of the region's vaccination centres could temporarily close next month due to Europe-wide issues with supply.
In the Black Country and West Birmingham around 500,000 people have had their first dose of the jab, but some centres have stockpiles of vaccines that need to be used up urgently.
Walsall's Saddlers Centre, Tipton Sports Academy in Sandwell and WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton are offering the jab to people who fit the criteria and register at the door.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nurse for Black Country and West Birmingham CCGs said: “We are urging everyone who is aged 50 or with an underlying health condition to come and get their Covid-19 vaccine now.
“To make it even easier to get your vaccine, from today until April 2 we are also inviting people to arrive without an appointment at a select number of our sites."
People need to show their NHS number and date of birth. Anyone who is not eligible will be turned away.
Far fewer appointments will be available for first doses from next week as the bulk of available supplies are used to fully vaccinate people with a second jab
People with a learning disability or living with an underlying health condition who are yet to get their jab are being urged to book before March 29, with some GPs calling patients personally to encourage uptake.
Until that date, people can also book at the Saddlers Centre and Tipton Sports Academy by calling 119 or at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.
The sites are open 8am until 7pm every day up to and including April 2.
As of Wednesday, 28,653,523 people across the UK had been vaccinated and 2,532,839 of these had received a second dose.
