Labour’s Cllr Zahid Chauhan is today calling on the people of Oldham Borough to book their booster jabs as part of a major national effort to protect the country from the Omicron variant. Omicron is causing widespread concern as it is significantly more transmissible than other variants causing a rise in cases and affecting the number of health workers available to respond. 

Cllr Chauhan is Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and also a frontline Doctor. He made headlines earlier in the year when he successfully campaigned for changes to NHS guidelines that allowed homeless people and other vulnerable groups to get the vaccine sooner.

Cllr Chauhan said “None of us wanted to be here again this Christmas – but this new variant has created a new and dangerous wave of the pandemic and we all have to work together to beat it.

“The best thing you can possibly do for your health, your family and your community is to make sure you are up to date with your jabs. If you are due for your booster – please book it now. If you are still to have your jab, please come forward as soon as possible. Our staff love meeting people coming forward for their first vaccine.”

“The vaccine isn’t just safe, it has already saved tens of thousands of lives in this country and millions around the world. What we are seeing clearly is that those who are unvaccinated are much more likely to die of covid or experience severe illness than those who have had their jabs. More of us getting vaccinated will also reduce the likelihood, length and severity of future restrictions.”

“Here in Oldham Borough we have always worked together as a community – that is how we will get through this latest challenge. Please follow the guidance, please get jabbed, and please stay safe.”

Appointments can be made online on the NHS website and there are also a number of pharmacies offering appointments and a number of drop-in vaccine clinics where no appointment is necessary. Details of both can be found on the Oldham Council website.