NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Centres open in Basingstoke, Portsmouth and on the Isle of Wight
Large scale NHS COVID-19 vaccination centres in Basingstoke, Portsmouth and the Isle Wight are opening their doors to the public today (1 February), meaning even more people will be able to get vaccinated as part of the biggest vaccination programme the NHS has ever seen.
Vaccination centres at Basingstoke Fire Station, St James’ Hospital in Portsmouth and The Riverside Centre on the Isle of Wight will be open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. They complement vaccination provisions at GP-led and hospital services across the region.
The opening of the three centres follows the opening of the Southampton large-scale vaccination centre to the public last week.
Initially, vaccinations will be offered to people in line with recommendations from the independent JCVI.
People will need an appointment to get their vaccine; most people will be invited by a letter and will then have the opportunity to go onto the national booking system and book an appointment slot or call 119. Appointments will be released regularly.
People who book into a vaccine centre will be greeted by a dedicated team of clinicians, vaccinators, administrative staff and volunteers who will help make a visit run as smoothly and safely as possible. Bookings are staggered to allow social distancing.
People will receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab.
Dr Dan Baylis, Chief Medical Officer at Solent NHS Trust, who are running all four of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight large-scale vaccination centres, said: "We are really excited to be expanding the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
“COVID-19 continues to be the single biggest health emergency the NHS has ever seen; the vaccination is our way out of this pandemic and a return to normal. The scale of vaccinations happening every day across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is thanks to the hard work and dedication of all the staff and volunteers involved. We are especially grateful to our partners who are offering mutual aid to helps us vaccinate as many people as possible.
“I would encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when they are invited by the NHS.”
Speaking about the opening of the vaccination centre at Basingstoke Fire Station, where firefighters have been trained to vaccinate and are supporting NHS staff, Keith Jones, Basingstoke Station Manager, said: “We are delighted that we are able to support the vaccine rollout here at Basingstoke Fire Station and play our part in protecting our local community from COVID-19.
“Our firefighters are adjusting our way of working as we prepare the site to fulfil the requirements of a vaccination centre.
“A lot of work has been undertaken with our health partners and across the entire organisation to reach this point and ensure that the fire service continues to make life safer."