YOUNG people aged 18 to 39 across Stockton are being urged to 'Grab a Jab' as seven mobile vaccination clinics prepare to visit venues across the area.

The clinics aim to boost Covid vaccination rates in age groups, and in areas, where uptake has proved low and provide improved access for people who may have found it difficult to get to a designated vaccination centre.

The mobile units, which have the capacity to provide up to 500 vaccinations a day, will stop at the following locations for drop-ins with no appointment needed: September 3, Newtown Community Resource Centre, Durham Road and Redhill Family Hub and Library, 10am to 5pm.

September 4, Low Grange Community Centre Car Park, 10am to 5pm.

September 9 Norton Grange Community Centre,10am to 5pm.

September 10, Stockton Family Hub, 10am to 5pm.

September 11, Five Lamps Car Park, Eldon Street, 10am to 5pm.

September 12, Tithebarn House, 10am to 5pm.

Anyone over the age of 18 is invited to come along for their first or second Pfizer vaccination, it must be eight weeks between first and second doses, and a team of immunisers and support staff, will be on hand to answer questions or address any issues of vaccine hesitancy at each venue.

Dr Janet Walker, medical director, NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The Covid-19 vaccination programme has been going really well across Tees Valley but we are aware that in some wards in Stockton only 66 per cent of people that are eligible to receive the vaccine have had their jab and uptake remains the lowest amongst young men aged 18 to 39.

"We hope that by taking these mobile vaccination clinics into local communities, we will be able to reach many more people who may have found it difficult to get to a clinic so far.

"It is really important that we aim to be as flexible and responsive within all our communities and ensure we try to remove as many barriers as possible that prevent people from having their jab and being fully protected against Covid-19."

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet been vaccinated against coronavirus to head down to one of the pop-up clinics at a time that suits them.

“We know that some residents have struggled to get themselves to other vaccination centres, so these mobile clinics will certainly bring an added convenience for many.

“Infection rates across the Borough are still at a high level and getting the vaccine is the best possible form of protection from serious illness.”