BOLTON'S Vaccination Bus will be out and about this Bank Holiday Monday to ensure more people can receive their first dose.

Later in the week the bus will visit a supermarket and a mosque to deliver jabs.

On Bank Holiday Monday the bus will be at Queens Park between 10am and 4pm, where it will be based in the car park in Spa Road.

On Tuesday, May 4, the Vaccination Bus will be at Sainsbury’s supermarket, Trinity Street, from 10am to 4pm.

Then, on Saturday, May 8 it will pay a visit to Masjid E Ghosia Mosque in Caroline Street between 1pm and 6pm.

The bus will be situated in the car park, behind the mosque building, access via Barbara Street.

Anyone who fits the current criteria and is registered with a Bolton GP can receive their first vaccination on board the bus.

The criteria are that you must be aged 40 or over, or over 30 and a carer, have been shielding, or have a long term health condition.

The Vaccination Bus is for first doses only and no appointment is needed. As it uses Astra Zeneca, it is not suitable for anyone under the age of 30.

Senior Responsible Officer for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme in Bolton, and Clinical Director of Commissioning at Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Helen Wall, said: “The bus is visiting a variety of locations in the heart of communities and we’re grateful to our partners and organisations, such as mosques and supermarkets who have welcomed the bus with open arms.

“To have the bus visit one of Bolton’s best parks on Bank Holiday Monday is also a great opportunity for us to reach people who might be out and about enjoying some family time.

“It’s great to see such enthusiasm for the Vaccination Bus and the willingness of people to work with us to get people vaccinated. We’ve been inundated with questions and interest from the public about the bus and where it’s going to next.”

Michael Smith, Chief Officer of Bolton GP Federation, said: “It’s a great pleasure to be running the vaccination bus and we’re so glad to see our communities embracing it so positively and passionately.

“Don’t forget if you think that your community would benefit from a visit from the vaccination bus, then please get in touch. We want to take the bus to where it’s needed most.”

Any organisation or individual in the community who is interested in the Vaccination Bus paying them a visit should call Bolton GP Federation on 01204 546124.

The Covid-19 vaccination programme is being led nationally by NHS England, and Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is managing arrangements at a local level.

Vaccination of residents is according to a priority list, as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), based on age and vulnerability of people and the risk of them becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid-19.

The Vaccination Bus is for first doses only. Anyone waiting for their second dose will be contacted when the time is right.