THOUSANDS of Covid-19 booster jabs are set to be available this weekend as the “booster bus” heads to Southampton.

The mobile van, which has been offering booster jabs to those aged over 40 across Hampshire this week, will head to Southampton’s Bargate tomorrow.

Those who are eligible for the jab from cohorts 1-10 (anyone aged 40 and over) who received their second dose six months ago will be able to walk and get their vaccine.

Parking at the Bargate on the High Street, the booster bus will be offering jabs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

The Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says that due to guidance being updated in response to the newly discovered Omicron variant, more people than ever will be able to access a vaccine.

But now the CCG has “rapidly scaled up” its plans to ensure everyone aged 18 and over is offered a booster by the end of January.

Dr Matt Nisbet, Clinical Lead for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “The NHS is working at extreme pace to respond to this new variant.

“The latest national guidance advises reducing interval between a second dose and a booster dose to three months and as new capacity comes online we will be inviting people in accordance with this, in order of vulnerability.

“For now, if you are over 40 and it is six months since your second dose you can attend one of our “booster buses” to maximise your protection against the virus.”

This comes after the booster bus was on the Isle of Wight this week as well as Portsmouth and Gosport.

More than 3.1 million vaccines have been delivered across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (ICS) footprint since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination programme almost 12 months ago.

Jane Ansell, Senior Responsible Officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “Teams across Hampshire and Isle of Wight continue to do all they can to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are delighted to be able to offer eligible people the choice of attending one of our mobile booster buses, offering greater access to the vaccine.

“This could not be achieved without the incredible support of our partners and volunteers.”

The bus is expected to return to Southampton at a late date after Sunday’s booster session.