A FAMILY from near Oswestry have urged people to have their Covid vaccinations after losing a beloved grandfather who could not get his jab in time to save his life.

Katie Griffiths, 32, and her son Elias,10, who live in St Martins, are making the call for people to act now, 16 months after their beloved family member died aged just 58 after contracting Covid-19.

Elias asked his mother to get his jab, because "his Grampsey couldn't have his" as he was not eligible for it at the time as the rollout started, with the most vulnerable targeted for vaccinations before other age groups and risk levels received their calls.

Katie said: "It was fully Elias’ choice to have his vaccine – it wasn’t my decision to make, but he wanted to have it because his Grampsey sadly couldn’t yet have his.

Border Counties Advertizer: Elias Griffiths after his jabElias Griffiths after his jab

“I know that we are starting to hear less about Covid-19 in the media, but I just want to stress to people that Covid-19 is still out there – my brother and his wife had it only just the other week, as well as a good friends of ours.

“People still need to be cautious, and getting vaccinated is one measure everyone – who is able to have the vaccine – can take to protect themselves and others. I don’t want people suffering the heartache that my family and I have."

Border Counties Advertizer: Colin Griffiths with son Sam Griffith daughter Katie Griffiths grandson Elias GriffithsColin Griffiths with son Sam Griffith daughter Katie Griffiths grandson Elias Griffiths

She added: "My dad was everything to me. He was my world and I miss him every single day.

“My message to everyone is to get vaccinated if they can; it means you’re protected and you’re also protecting the people you love, as well as those who are vulnerable.”

The first and second dose of the vaccine is available to everyone aged five and over, with the boosters available for people over 16, and at risk children aged 12-15 years old.

Boosters for people aged 75 years old and over, plus people aged 12 years old and over with a weakened immune system, are also available; as well as additional primary doses for people with a severely weakened immune system aged 12 years old and over.

You can book your vaccine via the National Booking Service online, call 119 or alternatively, find a local walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment.