As the final countdown to Christmas begins, staff at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Sefton were surprised by the arrival of a very jolly patient in a red suit, looking to get a jab.

‘Santa Claus’ visited Netherton Health Centre, where he had pre-booked an appointment to get his COVID-19 booster vaccination, under the alias Ron Clayton.

Arriving, unusually, by van rather than by sleigh, Santa explained that his reindeer were busy getting ready for their Christmas duties, but that even though he was ‘snowed under’ with festive preparations he knew it was very important to make time to get vaccinated as soon as he was eligible.

Santa said: “I’ve got a busy few days ahead, flying around to deliver presents to children all over Sefton and beyond! I wanted my long journey to be made as safe as possible for myself and everyone I visit, by getting my booster jab for extra protection.

“Mrs Claus and all of my elves have also had their booster jabs, to keep themselves and everyone else safe this Christmas. Some of the elves are over 100 years old, so obviously they had their vaccinations quite early on, but it’s never too late to come forward for your jab if you’ve not got round to it yet!”

After getting his vaccine, Santa declared that all the staff at Netherton Health Centre were definitely on his ‘nice’ list, before he waved goodbye to the team and set off back to the North Pole.

Jenny Macoy, site manager at the COVID-19 vaccination centre at Netherton Health Centre, said: “We were so glad to see St. Nick himself coming in to get his jab, even though he must have a busy schedule at the moment! Protecting yourself and others should definitely be top of everyone’s Christmas list this year.”

“The booster vaccine is important because helps improve the protection you have from your first two doses of the vaccine and helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Get yours booked in to stay safe this festive season.”

The NHS is now offering all adults the opportunity to book their booster jab by the end of the year. Those now eligible to book are people who had their second COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago, and are:

• Aged 18 and over
• Aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk from COVID-19
• Frontline health or social care workers

If, like Santa, you are eligible for your booster jab, you can call 119 or visit the NHS website to book an appointment, or find a walk-in vaccination site that is offering booster jabs, here: www.nhs.uk/covid-booster

Booster jabs are also available from local vaccination sites in Sefton, which are taking bookings by telephone for anyone eligible. Contact the local vaccination sites to get booked in:

Seaforth Village Surgery, 20 Seaforth Rd, L21 3TA: call 07979 938 229

Netherton Health Centre, Magdalen Square, L30 5SP: call 0151 247 6413

Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 44-46 Hoghton Street, PR9 0PQ: call 01704 395830 (phone lines open Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm)

Find out more about local vaccination sites in Sefton by visiting: www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk or www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk.