Cornwall’s NHS smashed its target to vaccinate 50,000 people against COVID-19 last week by putting 55,000 doses in arms.

The target is part of the drive to offer everyone aged 18 and older a booster jab before the end of the year.

It’s also not too late for people to book their first or second dose if they’ve not yet received any protection.

Bookable booster appointments are also available from Tintagel medical centre, Bossinney Road, PL34 0AE, from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Wednesday, December 22.

A walk-in clinic will be available at Camborne RFC, Cranberry Road, TR14 7PW on Monday 27 December from 2 to 4pm for first, second and booster doses.

Iain Davidson, Royal Cornwall Hospitals chief pharmacist said: "Cases of COVID-19 are beginning to creep up in Cornwall, and our NHS is preparing for a significant rise in cases during the coming weeks as Omicron becomes the dominant variant.

"With Christmas just days away there’s still time to give yourself and your loved ones the best gift by getting yourself vaccinated, especially if you’re planning to see friends and relatives, some of whom may be vulnerable.

"The vaccine takes from 7 to 10 days to take its full effect so the sooner you are vaccinated, the better you’ll be protected against the Omicron variant.

"Our NHS is on a mission to vaccinate all 400k people in Cornwall that are eligible for a booster dose, as well as all those that have yet to have a first jab or are due their second jab, before the end of the year – and whilst demand is high there are plenty of available appointments and walk-in offers across Cornwall over the coming days and between Xmas and new year.

"If you are worried that it will make you ill before the holiday please be assured.

"Like any vaccine, most side effects are mild, resolve quickly and are much milder than getting COVID-19 itself, which can potentially be fatal to someone with an underlying health condition.

"If you are planning to see people during the holiday, remember to regularly test yourself, keep rooms ventilated if meeting indoors, wear face coverings in crowded and indoor places, and get your vaccination."

Dr Rob White, of Mount Hawke Surgery, said: "There was a huge demand last weekend, with a huge queue of people wanting to get vaccinated before Christmas.

"We saw 389 people on Saturday, but smashed that on Sunday by vaccinating 453 people in 6 hours – a real achievement.

"Thank you to everyone who waited patiently to be seen, and to my incredible team who worked late to make sure anyone who turned up was seen, including several people who came for their first dose."

The surgery is vaccinating tomorrow (Wednesday 22) until 2pm for bookable appointments and walk-ins.

Three Spires and Lander medical practices' next clinic will be on Saturday 8 January and patients will be contacted by text with details of how to book an appointment.

There are appointments available from now until 31 December including:

• Stithians Showground for walk-ins and bookable appointments from 9am to 6pm every day (excluding Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day)

• The Health and Wellbeing Clinic at Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro.

• Carlyon House, Carlyon Road, St Austell, PL25 4BX

• Morrab pharmacy, Morrab, TR18 4EL.

• Redruth health centre, Forth Noweth, TR15 1AU

• Mount Hawke surgery, Short Cross Road, TR4 8UE

• St Clare medical centre, St Clare Street, Penzance. TR18 3DX

• Reeds Pharmacy, Frances Street, Truro. TR1 3DP