"Amazing numbers" seen at Wolverhampton vaccination centre as autumn booster campaign gets underway

People aged 65 and over have had messages telling them they are now eligible for a Covid-19 booster vaccination.

And over at the pop-up clinic in Wolverhampton's Mander Centre, people are lining up to get themselves protected against the virus.

Francesca Acquah, the clinical lead at the clinic, said: "We've had lots of people coming in. We started off at around 75 a day, and now we're at 120.

"It's fantastic, the numbers have been amazing. Overall, we can accommodate 170 people a day. We started off with people aged 65 and over, but now we're doing health workers, the clinically vulnerable, and people over 50 too."

The 46-year-old has been a nurse for 23 years, and worked on the wards throughout the entirety of the pandemic.

For Francesca, the difference between patients suffering from Covid pre and post vaccines has been extraordinary.

She said: "I worked through the whole pandemic and worked on Covid wards without the vaccine.

"Before the vaccines, someone would die every night."

Francesca went on to say: "For me, the most important thing is making sure people are protected.

"Each and everybody has a responsibility to themselves and to others to get vaccinated.

"As long as we get as many people vaccinated as possible, that's all that matters."

Colin and Hilda Nock from Stourbridge were just two of the people to get their booster jab at the Mander's vaccination centre.

74-year-old Colin said: "It's better safe than sorry. We're taking any protection we can. It's insurance for our health.

"This is our fourth Covid jab and we haven't had any problems, no side-effects at all."

Carole Craddock from Finchfield also had her booster jab at the centre.

The 68-year-old said: "It was fine. I've had no side effects at all. I feel more protected now the vaccines are out.

"I don't know why people don't get them."

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, believes it is vital for people to get vaccinated against Covid.

Her husband, former Wolverhampton Mayor Milkinder Jaspal, fell into a coma and was expected to die after contracting Covid-19 in January 2021.

While the vaccinations had started to roll out at that point, Milkinder was not in the eligible age group at the time.

He lost all his body strength and had to learn to walk, eat and drink again as part of his initially recovery.

"I truly recommend to each and everyone that they get the vaccine," Jasbir said.

"Booster vaccinations are important because immunity starts to wane. There will be some who won't - but it's been very good to have this response.

"I think it's been quite wonderful - people have come out and had the vaccine."

Jasbir has made sure she has had her booster jab, and said: "It's absolutely fine. I look after my mother who's 82 - so I made sure she had it.

"It's to insure that I'm safe when looking after her."

To find your nearest vaccination centre, go to nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site.