Former Liverpool FC star Jamie Carragher paid a visit to a vaccination site in Sefton to get his COVID-19 booster jab and encouraged others to get their vaccines.

Jamie booked his booster jab at Netherton Health Centre as soon as he was eligible after his second dose of the vaccine to help increase his protection from the virus. He chatted to staff on site and shared a printed message to local residents saying ‘Let’s get boosted’.

Jenny Macoy is site manager at the COVID-19 vaccination centre, run by GP practices working together as part of the local primary care network. She welcomed the football star and thanked him for helping support the NHS’ message to get protected from COVID-19.

She said: “It’s wonderful when someone like Jamie sets a great example by getting protected both for himself and his community. So many people, especially young people, in Sefton look up to him and will hopefully decide to follow in his footsteps and get vaccinated.

“It’s not too late to get your booster jab or even your first or second dose, so check if you’re eligible and get booked in today.”

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, congratulated NHS staff, volunteers and members of the armed forces for achieving the Government’s target to offer every eligible adult in England a booster jab by the end of 2021.

She said: “In my eyes our vaccination teams and NHS colleagues are champions, pulling out all the stops to get so many people protected in such a short period of time.

“We can all do our bit to help support our NHS staff by getting vaccinated to help stop the spread of the virus. Thank you to everybody who has come forward for their jabs so far.”

Around 79% of eligible adults in England have now received their booster jab including approximately 90% of eligible people aged 50 and over. Those now eligible to book a booster are people who had their second COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago, and are:

• Aged 16 and over
• Aged 12-15 with a health condition that puts them at high risk from COVID-19, or who live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Those eligible for their booster vaccine can also pre-book a booster appointment from two months after their second dose.

Anyone who has caught the COVID-19 virus will need to wait before getting their next dose of the vaccine. If you’ve had a positive COVID-19 test and you are eligible for a booster jab you are advised to:

• Wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 18 years old or over
• Wait 12 weeks (84 days) if you’re aged 12 to 17 years old
• Wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 12 to 17 years old and at high risk from COVID-19

To find local vaccination sites in Sefton, visit the NHS South Sefton CCG website: www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/get-informed/latest-news/walk-in-or-book-a-covid-19-vaccine

To find out more about who is eligible for the COVID-19 booster vaccine, and to find a walk-in vaccination site or book an appointment through the national booking system, visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine.