Covid-19 booster walk-in chaos: Londoners queueing for hours to get extra dose at walk-in centres

Londoners have been queueing for hours to try and get their Covid booster jabs in time for Christmas.

The prime minister Boris Johnson said extra vaccine sites and mobile units would be set up across England, and opening hours extended, to try and tackle the ultra-transmissible Omicron variant.

Jennie Hodgson, an HR manager, queued for two hours, at Pearl Chemist Pharmacy, Mitcham Road, Tooting, to get her booster vaccine.

“I’m keen to get my booster vaccine today as my Mum is coming to stay over Christmas and I want to make sure I’m ready for her,” the 44-year-old told LondonWorld.

“I want to be able to go on public transport and feel that sense of security that I’m properly covered.

“I think the stats indicate to me that I will feel much more comfortable going out and about if I’ve got the booster as well, and obviously I’m over 40 so it gives me that extra sense of well being.”

London has seen a surge in cases of the latest Omicron Covid variant.

A whopping 252 cases have been confirmed in the city, while a further 582 suspected cases have also been counted, making the full total 834.

While the first death of an Omicron patient in the UK has been confirmed by the government, the BBC are reporting.

Iain Littlemore, a 35-year-old copywriter, was keen to get his booster jab this morning after suffering from long Covid.

“I’ve been trying for a couple of weeks to get the booster vaccine through the booking system and it’s been failing on me the whole time,” he said.

“Obviously I wasn’t due to get it as I’m in my mid 30s, but at the moment it was failing so I figured I would try a walk-in.

“I’m getting the booster to protect others over the Christmas season.

“I also suffered from long Covid and both of the AstraZeneca vaccines I had helped ease the symptoms of that, so having another booster is good for my health as well as everyone else.”

Owen James, a 44-year-old managing director at a private equity firm, said he wanted to protect vulnerable loved ones at Christmas.

“I booked a few weeks ago but my booked appointment isn’t till December 23 and I’ve got a few Christmas parties coming up so I thought it was probably better to have it earlier,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say I’m any more worried about Omicron than any other variant that’s been around.

“I think the big thing for me is I’m conscious of going home for Christmas.

“There’s somebody in the household that’s vulnerable and I don’t want to take it home to them.

“I also don’t want to have to isolate over Christmas.

“It’s less of a worry for me as I’m relatively young and relatively healthy so I don’t want to be passing it onto anyone else.”

Jonathan Yeoman, a 27 year-old musician, said: “I’m seeing my grandfather, who’s 97, over Christmas and I think it will give me some peace of mind.

“Also I think it’s a good thing to get to stay safe.”

The government is urging the public to take up their booster jabs, with the rollout being expanded to all over-18s and over-30s encouraged to book appointments.

Bookings via the NHS website will be opened to 18-30s from Wednesday.

And jabs are available at walk-in clinics across the country.