The centres provide an additional option to the vaccination hubs already successfully delivering vaccinations in local hospitals and by GPs across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Dr David Vickers, Medical Director, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust which is co-ordinating delivery of the large vaccination centres across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough said:
“We are delighted to be launching the first large vaccination centres in Cambridgeshire Peterborough this week, with more centres being rolled out in the coming weeks.
“The live saving jab will initially be offered to people aged 80 and over (widening to other age groups in the coming weeks), along with health and care staff.
“The Centres are capable of delivering thousands of vaccines in the coming weeks and provide a major boost to our plans to offer protection to those who would benefit most as quickly as possible.”
Letters are being sent out by the national booking service initially to people aged 80 and over (widening to other age groups in the coming weeks) who live up to a 45 minute drive from the centres, inviting them to book an appointment either online or over the phone.
If anyone has already received a jab since the letter was sent out or would prefer to wait to be invited to attend a hospital or GP service they can simply ignore it.
Dr Gary Howsam, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group Chair and local GP added:
“NHS staff are doing an incredible job to deliver what it is the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as providing vital services for people who need our care.
“Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine; we will contact you. When you are contacted, please attend your booked appointment. Appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and people are urged not to turn up early to avoid queues.
“It is vital that you do not attend the new Large Scale Vaccination Centres if you do not have an appointment as you will not be able to receive a vaccination.
“I urge people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to continue following all the guidance to control the virus and save lives – that means staying at home as much as you can, and always remembering ‘hands, face and space’.”
