UNIVERSITY students in Bournemouth are being invited to walk-in session to get a Covid vaccine at the BIC.

A statement published on Bournemouth University's (BU) website says vaccinations will be available to students aged over 18 from Tuesday, May 18, until Monday, May 24.

The walk-ins have also been promoted on the institution's social media channels.

Read more: IN PICTURES: Students queue to get Covid vaccine jabs at the BIC

The invitation to students comes at a time this week when across England patients aged 36 and 37 have been invited to book their first jab.

Arts University Bournemouth students have received a similar notice, which was publised on the establishment's social media on the afternoon of May 18.

BU's online statement says: "We are delighted to let you know the Covid-19 vaccination is now available to all BU students over the age of 18.

"Vaccinations will be offered as walk-ins at the Purbeck Hall, Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and you don’t need to make an appointment.

"Evidence has shown that some people are more are risk from Covid-19 so, while you are able to receive the vaccine whatever your background, we would especially encourage you do so if you are male, from a Black or ethnic minority background, have a body-mass index (BMI) of 30 or more (obese or morbidly obese) or are experiencing social or economic hardship.

"Both UK and international students are able to get vaccinated."

The university says jabs will be available between 8am and 4pm, including over the weekend, with more availability going forward should students not be able to attend over the next few days.

Students have been told they need to take their university ID card to the vaccination centre, a print out of a letter showing they are a student or take their NUS/Totem card.

"Please be aware that there will be a finite supply of the vaccine available each day and there may be days when the vaccination centre reaches capacity and has to turn people away," BU's statement says.

"They will not do this lightly and we hope that you will appreciate this in good faith and be accepting of the situation. Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines will be available at the BIC and the type of vaccine which you receive will be determined by the team at the centre, based on your own circumstances."

It adds: "You will be invited to get your second jab at a later date. You won’t need to get this in Bournemouth, so if you have left by then for the summer, you will be able to get this at a vaccination centre where you are at that time. There is more information available on the NHS website about the Covid-19 vaccination.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to get vaccinated now and earlier than expected for most of you; please take advantage of this offer to BU students, especially as restrictions have now eased a little around socialising and travel and with the concerns around new variants of Covid-19 in the UK."

The Daily Echo has contacted Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust, which is overseeing the Covid vaccine rollout across the county, and Dorset Clinical Commission Group for comment on the walk-in sessions for university students.