People in Wirral have been queuing patiently for Covid-19 vaccination jabs today, after the roll-out of the booster jab was ramped up across the country.

The walk-in vaccination centre at Birkenhead Medical Building experienced queues out of the door, with people waiting over an hour to be jabbed, as a surge in online traffic prevented some from booking appointments online.

Others could only get time slots outside the borough, making a walk-up appointment for those who want to be jabbed as quickly as possible the preferred option.

Dr Abhi Mantgani, who leads the vaccination effort at Birkenhead Medical Building said: "It is busy with approximate waiting between 45 minutes to one hour.

People are queuing outside the building and we are doing all we can. As of 4pm, we have done 600 walk-ins so far today."

Wirral Globe: The scene outside Birkenhead Medical BuildingThe scene outside Birkenhead Medical Building

Concerns have been raised since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that the NHS will have to postpone some planned appointments in order to meet the target of giving every adult in England a Covid-19 booster jab by the end of the year.

The Globe contacted Wirral University Teaching Hospital to ask whether they had cancelled any appointments as a result of the booster jab campaign.

A Wirral University Teaching Hospital spokesperson said: “We are waiting for further guidance following yesterday’s announcement by the Government. We will contact any patients impacted directly as soon as that guidance becomes clear and any changes to patients’ planned procedures will be made on the basis of clinical need and priority. Patients will be kept informed of any changes we need to make.

“We would also urge the public to get vaccinated or boosted as soon as possible to ensure they, and their family and friends, are protected and that the NHS can continue to care for the sickest patients.

“Our Clatterbridge Vaccination Centre has vaccinated over 120,000 people and stands ready to support the push on vaccinations and boosters.”

Birkenhead Medical Centre is open for walk-in booster jabs every day this week 9am-5.30pm, Saturday December 18, 9am - 4pm and Sunday December 19, 9am - 12pm.