MORE than 34,000 additional slots have been made available at mass vaccination sites, GP surgeries and community pharmacies in an effort to boost vaccinations across Hampshire and Isle of Wight during half-term.

Alongside the additional slots a range of walk-in clinics are also being held at various venues throughout the week to enable people to get their first, second or booster jab.

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Young people in particular are being encouraged to come forward with 68 per cent of 12-15 year olds and 76 per cent of 16-17 year olds across Hampshire having received their first vaccination.

Dr Matt Nisbet, GP and clinical lead of the Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “The vaccine is still our best protection against the virus and I would encourage anyone eligible to get their jab, or to chat to any of our staff if you are unsure.

“School immunisation teams have done an incredible job visiting schools to protect children and these additional slots and walk-in clinics over half-term will help ensure any child who might not have already got their first or second jab can get one.”

12 to 15 year olds have been eligible for a second jab since December 2021 but only 30 per cent across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have had both doses, rising to 58 per cent for 16-17 year olds.

Alongside the additional bookable slots, teams across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be holding pop-up clinics in shopping centres such as the Marlands in Southampton and the Cascades in Portsmouth as well as fire stations, community centres and leisure centres.

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Angela Anderson, clinical director for the Solent vaccination programme, said: "We continue to offer pop-up clinics across our communities to give people even more opportunities to access the jab.

"If you are still unsure about whether to have the vaccine we welcome people to come have a chat with our friendly team of clinicians at one of our clinics to support you in making an informed choice.”

Pop-ups across Hampshire include:

Tuesday, February 22

• Hythe fire station, New Road, Hythe, SO45 6BN. Open 1pm-8pm.

• The Chantry Centre, Chantry St, Andover SP10 1RL. Open 8:30am - 12pm.

• Cascades Shopping Centre, Commercial Rd, Portsmouth PO1 4RL. Open 10am – 6pm.

• Beddow Library, Milton Road, Milton, Portsmouth, PO4 8PR. Open 10am - 4pm

Wednesday, February 23

• Lowford Centre, Portsmouth Road, Lowford Hill, Southampton SO31 8ES. Open 9am - 4.30pm (closed for lunch 12.30-1pm).

• St John’s Cathedral - The Discovery Centre, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth PO1 3HG. Open 1pm – 8pm.

• Cascades Shopping Centre, Commercial Rd, Portsmouth PO1 4RL. Open 10am – 6pm

Thursday, February 24

• South Winchester Park and Ride, Hockley Link, Winchester, SO21 2FG. Open 8am – 8pm

• Cascades Shopping Centre, Commercial Rd, Portsmouth PO1 4RL. Open 10am – 60pm

• Romsey Rapids, Southampton Rd, Romsey, SO51 8AF. Open 10am – 6pm

• North End Library, Gladys Ave, North End, Portsmouth PO2 9AX. Open 10am - 4pm

Friday, February 25

• Lowford Centre, Portsmouth Road, Lowford Hill, Southampton SO31 8ES. Open 9am-5pm (closed for lunch 12.30-1pm).

• Unit 1 Swan Centre, Eastleigh, SO50 5SG. Open 10am – 4pm.

• South Winchester Park and Ride, Hockley Link, Winchester, SO21 2FG. Open 8am – 8pm

• St Marys Fire Station, Southampton, SO14 0DB. Open 1pm - 8pm.

• Cascades Shopping Centre, Commercial Rd, Portsmouth PO1 4RL. Open 10am – 60pm

• Places Leisure Centre, Passfield Ave, Eastleigh SO50 9NL. Open 8am - 1pm

• Taro Leisure Centre, Penns Pl, Petersfield GU31 4EX. 10am - 6pm

• John Pounds Community Centre, Library, 23 Queen St, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN. Open 10am - 4pm

Saturday, February 26

• The Chantry Centre, Chantry St, Andover SP10 1RL. Open 8:30am - 12pm. 16 years and over.

• Taro Leisure Centre, Penns Pl, Petersfield GU31 4EX. 10am - 6pm

• Start Point Sholing, Wood Cl, Southampton SO19 0SG. Open 12pm – 6pm

• Marlands (Shoe Zone), Civic Centre Rd, Southampton SO14 7SJ. Open 10:30am – 6:30pm.

• Gosport Leisure Centre, Forest Way, Gosport PO13 0ZX. Open 10am - 6pm

Sunday, February 27

• Vedic Society Hindu Temple, 79-195 Radcliffe Road, Southampton SO14 0PS. Open 12pm - 5pm.

• Gosport Leisure Centre, Forest Way, Gosport PO13 0ZX. Open 10am - 6pm

• Marlands (Shoe Zone), Civic Centre Rd, Southampton SO14 7SJ. Open 10:30am – 6:30pm.