EVERYONE in Essex aged 18 and over who has not has their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine is being urged to visit one of the county's walk-in centres available this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, 26 and 27 June).

The 'Grab a Jab' weekend is being held as the Government strives to get as many adults as possible vaccinated before the possible further lifting of restrictions on 19 July.

Anyone over 18 will be able to walk in and get their jab at convenient sites while going about their usual weekend business - without needing to book a time in advance.

Second doses will also be available, as long as it has been eight weeks since the first dose for people aged 40 and over and 12 weeks for people under 40.

Sites hosting walk-ins in Essex include (please carefully check all information below for each site before setting out as some offer different times and walk-in/pre-bookable opportunities):

Chelmsford City Racecourse, CM2 1QP

Pre-bookable appointments for first and second doses

Walk-in appointments for second doses of AstraZeneca for 40 year olds and over who are bringing their second dose forward to 8 weeks

When: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June from 8am to 8pm

You can just turn up on the day, book your appointment online using the National Booking Service or call 119.

Towngate Theatre, Basildon, SS14 1DL

Pre-bookable appointments for first and second doses

Walk-in appointments for second doses of AstraZeneca for 40 year olds and over who are bringing their second dose forward to 8 weeks

When: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June from 8am to 7pm

You can just turn up on the day, book your appointment online using the National Booking Service or call 119.

Stifford Clays Health Centre, Thurrock, RM16 2AP

Walk-in appointments for first and second doses at Stifford Clays Health Centre – For Thurrock residents

When: Saturday 26 June from 8am – 8pm

Just turn up, no need to make an appointment.

Walk-in appointments in Southend

There are also walk in clinics for first and second AstraZeneca doses from now to the end of July in Southend:

Wednesdays 2pm to 8pm:

Saxon Hall, Aviation Way, SS2 6UN

Thursdays 8am to 2pm:

Belle Vue Church, Belle Vue Avenue, SS1 2QZ

Sundays 8am to 4pm:

Saxon Hall, Aviation Way, SS2 6UN

Just turn up, no need to make an appointment.

The NHS will shortly launch a new online service enabling people to simply enter their postcode and find their nearest walk-in site, and text messages will be sent to people living nearby who haven't had their first dose yet.

People who attend a walk-in clinic for their first dose will have their vaccination record updated online and will then be able to book in their second dose appointment using the national booking system.

Text invitations appear as an alert from 'NHSvaccine' and include a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment.

People who cannot go online can call the service on 119 instead to book their jab.

People aged 39 and under who are eligible and pregnant women will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in line with updated guidance.