A new and easier way of getting the Covid-19 vaccine is on its way to Wirral, as cases of the virus surge in the borough.

The 'vaccine bus' will arrive in Wirral on Monday, July 12, and residents can get the jab on the bus without having an appointment.

The bus, which is fully accessible, will be stopping off at Victoria Park in Rock Ferry, near to Victoria Park Community Cricket Club, on July 12 and July 13, before heading to Turner Street car park in Birkenhead on July 14 and July 15.

You can get the jab on any of the four available days next week from 9.30am until 6pm.

It is very important that people get vaccinated, given the huge rise in Wirral's Covid-19 cases.

In the week up to July 3, there were 1,441 cases registered in the borough at a rate of 445 per 100,000.

That is almost double the 788 cases recorded in the previous week's figures, when Wirral's infection rate was at 243 per 100,000.

Looking not so far back to the week up to May 19, there were just 14 cases registered in Wirral at a rate of four per 100,000, showing how quickly the virus has spread in just seven weeks.

The best protection against this level of cases turning into more hospitalisations and deaths is the vaccine.

This is why people aged over 18 are being strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.

Dr Paula Cowan, local GP and chair of NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "It's great news that the vaccine bus is here in Wirral.

"Not only does it make it easy for people to come and get vaccinated, it enables us to take the vaccine to the heart of our communities, helping to drive uptake amongst eligible groups and making the vaccine accessible to those who may have struggled to get to a clinic.

"With the help of NHS staff, partners and volunteers, we've made incredible progress with the vaccine programme in Wirral with over 392,000 doses given.

"It is safe, simple, and offers you and those around you the best protection against this virus."

Julie Webster, Wirral Council's director of public health, said: "The Delta variant is now the dominant variant in Wirral and is very easily passed from person to person, but we know the vaccine offers the best possible protection against becoming seriously ill.

"The bus gives us the opportunity to take the vaccine to locations that are easier to get to for many and I would urge anyone who has not yet had their jab to come forward and get it as soon as possible."

A team of NHS staff will be on board the bus to give people the vaccine in a safe way, offering first and second doses of both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines to those eligible.

Vaccines will be given on a first come, first served basis and people do not need to be registered with a GP to receive a vaccine on the bus.

Anyone not able to attend can book their vaccination appointment by clicking or tapping here.

You can also call 119, walk into one of Wirral's vaccination clinics, or call your GP practice.