QUEUES are forming outside Bury's new vaccination walk-in centres to boost the uptake of injections as the borough's infection rate remains one of the highest in the country.

Bury's infection rate has more than doubled in just seven days and today the town's public health team launched a surge vaccination programme.

Teams will also be going door to door encouraging people to get tested in a bid to contain the virus.

Today, queues formed at the walk-in centres which opened today to deliver first doses ­— and there is still time to get the jab.

The centres open this weekend are listed below and no appointment is needed.

Bury Times: Surge vaccination programme in Bury, Picture Danny Crompton

They will be delivering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine

Saturday 5 June – Noor Ul Islam Mosque, Yarwood Street, Bury from 12pm to 7pm.

Saturday 5 June - Prestwich Walk-in Centre, Fairfax Road, Prestwich from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Sunday 6 June - Elizabethan Suite, Knowsley Street, Bury from 8.30am to 6pm.

And the message is if people are unsure whether they fall into an eligible group, they can attend a centre and staff will advise.

Vans urging people to 'test, isolate and vaccinate' will also be touring the borough as the borough battles with increasing infection rates.

Bury Times: Bury vaccination walk in centre at mosque Picture Danny Crompton

Cllr Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We’re making tremendous progress on getting Bury people vaccinated, with around 113,000 residents having had their first jab and 77,000 who have received their second dose.

“However, there are still a number of people who, for a number of reasons, have not taken up their invitation. We want to take the message right to people’s doorsteps that having this vaccination will protect you, your families and friends from this potentially fatal illness – remember, more than 500 Bury people have died from coronavirus, and many more have become seriously unwell.

“Our teams will also be reminding everyone of the importance of testing and taking the right measures, such as self-isolation, when necessary.”

Bury's infection is the sixth highest in the country with rates having gone up from 72.3 per 10,000 to 147.7 in just a week.

Bury Times: Bury vaccination walk in centre at mosque Picture Danny Crompton

The door-knocking campaign is being carried out by staff from Bury Council, NHS Bury CCG and Six Town Housing, plus volunteers from ADAB, Bury Asian Women’s Centre and the borough’s Community Hubs.

Lesley Jones, Bury’s director of public health, said: “The Covid-19 vaccine is safe, and it works. Having two doses will protect you, your family, your colleagues and friends. It contains no ingredients of animal or human origin; it does not change your DNA or make you infertile; and nor does it inject a microchip into your body.”

Pictures by Danny Crompton