THE vaccine van is returning to Dudley this week so that people can walk in and grab a Covid jab.

So far 84 per cent of borough residents over 18 have had their first vaccination and nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) have had a second.

Health chiefs hope that it will make it easier for people who have not yet had a vaccine to pop along and get a jab with the return of the van.

It will be at Jesson’s Church of England Primary School, School Street, Dudley, from 10am to 6pm on Wednesday August 11, at Stafford Street car park, from 11am to 7pm, on Thursday and Friday (August 13 and 14).

Any adult who has not had their first vaccine is invited along, with no appointment needed.

People can just turn up and there will also be the opportunity to have a no-obligation chat to the qualified health professionals working there.

There are also several venues across the borough where people can walk in and get their first or second vaccine (as long as the second is eight weeks after their first dose) over the coming days.

These include:

Wellington Road Community Centre, Dudley, from 9am to 7pm, Thursday to Sunday (August 12 to 15), Ghausia Mosque, Lye High Street, 9am to 5.30pm Friday and Saturday (August 13 and14), New Road Methodist Church, Stourbridge, 9.30am to 1pm, Wednesday and Thursday (August 11 and 12), and 9.30am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday (August 13 and 14).

People can also drop into JHoots Pharmacy, in Brierley Hill Health and Social Care centre on Venture Way, seven days a week.

For the full list of venues and times visit www.blackcountryandwestbirmccg.nhs.uk/your-health-services/health-advice/covid-19-vaccination.

Details will include if the venue is offering the Pfizer or Astrazeneca vaccine.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "It’s fantastic to see how many people have already had the vaccine and with the van back in Dudley and so many walk-in centres across the borough, it’s easier for residents to grab a jab at a time to suit them.

"The vaccine remains the single best defence against Covid and whether you have been eligible for some time, or are newly eligible, I would urge you to come forward and take up the offer to protect yourself and your loved ones."

Residents can also book their vaccine in a number of locations across the borough by going online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.