THE Vale of Leven's Covid vaccination hub will open for an additional day as the fight against the spread of the Omicron variant is stepped up in the area.

Bosses from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have announced that Alexandria Community Centre will be open as a drop-in venue for first and second doses and booster vaccinations on Thursday, December 30.

The move comes following an "increasing demand" for third doses, amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

Military personnel have also been brought in to help deliver the booster programme across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

A health board spokesperson said: "We are making additional appointments accessible for everyone over the festive period and are increasing access to drop-in centres. 

"Due to the demand profile in West Dunbartonshire from members of the public, we will be opening Alexandria Community Centre as a vaccination drop in centre on Thursday, December 30.

"We would encourage all people from the West Dunbartonshire area, who are eligible for a vaccination or booster, to call the national helpline on 0800 030 8013 or use the appointments portal on the NHS Inform website, to book a vaccination at a time and place of their choosing.

"If you’re able to travel to an appointment, please do so where possible and appropriate. This will likely reduce your waiting time for an appointment and will also increase availability for those who cannot travel and require local appointments.

"As the spread of the Omicron variant continues, more and more people are coming forward to receive their jag and clinics up and down the country are experiencing queuing.

"In response, NHSGGC has recruited more vaccinators and is utilising support from Armed Forces personnel, meaning that more people than ever are being seen, including a whopping 17,000 in just one day last week.

"However, with the increased rush for people to get protected before Christmas, there is increased pressure on clinics."

To reduce waiting times, the health board is urging residents to book appointments via the NHS Inform portal.

READ MORE: NHS says sorry to Dumbarton residents turned away from booster jag bookings

To try and help reduce queues in the coming days, NHSGGC is asking members of the public to follow a series of simple steps:

1. Appointment is best: By booking your slot, you are more likely to be seen. NHSGGC runs a mix of appointment and drop-in clinics, and members of the public should only attend a drop in clinic without an appointment if they are part if the priority groups - those aged 40 and over and health and social care workers.

2. Don’t turn up too early – five minutes before is sufficient. The board says ne of the main causes of queues is people turning up very early for their appointment. This means that patients who turn up on time have to join a queue and have a wait. 

3. Avoid the busy periods and consider travelling to a quieter or larger clinic if you can to take pressure off some of the smaller clinics and free appointments up for others who cannot travel. There are also clinics in other health board areas which might be easier for some people to get to and these are also available to book via the national portal. 

Scottish Government data has revealed the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area has the worst uptake for boosters in Scotland.

Only half of eligible people in the area have come forward for the third jab, which is a total of 520,000 administered doses.

Dumbarton and the Vale's MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes, said: "Vaccination is the only way to win the battle against Covid-19.

"It’s the only way to support our local businesses and ensure that children and young people can continue to attend education physically. 

"I would encourage anyone with a booster appointment for after the New Year to re-book."

The SNP politician underlined that numbers surrounding vaccine uptake must be assessed over a period of time to reflect on the "monumental" role the NHS has as the pandemic prevails.

In response to the figures, the NHS said: "As it's the largest health board in Scotland, we have the largest population to vaccinate."

Dumbarton and the Vale residents requiring a booster can call the helpline on 0800 030 8013 or use the appointments portal on the NHS inform website.