IN his weekly message to residents Thurrock Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill has repeated his call for local people who have not yet had a Covid vacination to arrange to get one.

And he has pointed out that young people aged 16 and over can now get jabbed at one of a number of walk-in centres in the borough.

He says: "This week we have seen a significant change in rules around self-isolation thanks to the success of the vaccine rollout. Since Monday, 16 August people who are double vaccinated no longer need to self-isolate if they are pinged or contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

"Instead they should simply arrange to get a PCR test to make sure that they are not infected and only self-isolate if that test comes back as positive.

"Once again we can see how important the vaccine is. It has played a key role in the lifting of restrictions a month ago and now it is a vital component in allowing further freedoms. With some residents looking to travel oversees please ensure you check with official government websites on the local requirements and ensure you have the right documentation, some of which is only available in electronic format, and that you book all relevant tests for your return.

"Now the government has announced that all 16 and 17 year-olds are being offered the vaccine, invitations will be sent to them and walk-in appointments are also available to anyone over 16 right now. More details of how 16 and 17 year-olds can get their first vaccine dose can be found below.

"Vaccines have played an incredibly important role in helping us to unlock our society and gain freedom from lockdown and it is important that as many people as possible take advantage of the protection they offer.

"The evidence is clear: people who have received both doses of the vaccine are 90% less likely to end up seriously ill in hospital as a result of coronavirus and the latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University shows that around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 66,900 hospitalisations have been prevented by the vaccines.

"The simple facts are that the vaccines are highly effective and extremely important in helping us keep the hard won freedoms we have recently gained and unlock more freedoms on our journey to the new normal.

"I would urge everyone eligible to take up the offer of a vaccine. Appointments are easy to arrange and you do not even need one if you go to a walk-in centre. By getting vaccinated you better protect yourself, your loved ones, your work colleagues and your neighbours."

Young people and vaccinations

Teenagers within three months of turning 18 can book their vaccine appointment online right now through the National Booking Service or by calling 119.

Teenagers aged 16 and 17 can also get their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine at some walk-in vaccination centres without an appointment and without having to wait for an invitation. More information about the nearest local centres and opening times can be found at on the NHS website.

Thousands of 16 and 17 year-olds will also be invited by text and letter to book their appointments through GPs.