Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, has joined local NHS leaders in encouraging residents in and around Macclesfield to get their jab.

Mr Rutley urged the public at a meeting on Cheshire's vaccination programme with Clare Watson, Accountable Officer of NHS Cheshire Clinical

Commissioning Group.

They set out how vaccination is clearly the best way to combat coronavirus and is effective in tackling the spread of the Delta variant.

Ms Watson also explained how the vaccination programme is being taken forward across the county.

On Friday, June 18 2021 COVID-19 vaccination eligibility opened up to everyone aged 18 and over.

With a national target to offer a first dose of vaccine to all adults by July 19 2021, anyone aged 18 or over can now book their vaccination appointments online or by calling 119.

Via the National Booking System, everyone who has already had their first dose can now also schedule - or reschedule - their second dose as early as eight weeks after their first.

Everyone under 40 is now being offered Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, all COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK meet strict safety criteria following rigorous testing.

If there is no local availability showing on the booking system, and it is not convenient for a person to travel, then they are asked to please keep checking back as local slots update all the time.

A wide range of COVID-19 vaccination services are in place across Cheshire. In our area, first dose appointments continue to be offered at the regional vaccination service at Alderley Park and pharmacy-led service at Andrew's Pharmacy.

Roving pop-up vaccination clinics are also now taking place across Cheshire to respond to local need.

Following the meeting, Ms Watson said: "Vaccination remains our strongest weapon in the battle against Coronavirus (COVID-19), so please come forward if you are eligible and ensure you get both doses.

"It is never too late to come forward to get your jab."

The latest vaccination figures suggest 43,448,680 people in our country have had their first vaccine.

A further 31,740,115 have had both. This is a total of over 75 million vaccinations. However, there is still a long way to go.

David said: "Like many local residents, I am very grateful for all the life-saving work that local doctors, nurses, health service professionals and volunteers continue to do in rolling out the vaccination programme in our area.

"It is vital that we now all heed the latest advice, get tested and, very importantly, have our jabs. By taking these steps we will play our part in tackling the pandemic."

In February, Mr Rutley released a video to his YouTube channel discussing the vaccine outside Andrews, the Kennedy Avenue pharmacy.

The Conservative politician has served Macclesfield since 2010.

You can contact Macclesfield's MP here.

You can book your COVID-19 vaccination here.

At the Alderley Park Conference Centre, bookable appointments are available via the National Booking System.

Macclesfield walk-ins are now accepted from 8:30am-6pm on June 25 and 11am-6pm on June 26 and 27.

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