Local Southampton Fire Stations to help NHS ‘Grab a Jab’ walk-in efforts
Anyone aged 18 and over can walk-in for their first or second COVID-19 vaccination at local Southampton fire stations including Hightown Fire Station and St Mary’s Fire Station, this week. Firefighters along with clinical teams from Solent NHS Trust will be on hand to vaccinate those who would like a jab.
People can walk-in for a Pfizer jab at Hightown Fire Station in Sholing on Tuesday 13 July from 3:30 – 8:30pm.
St Mary’s Fire Station, St Mary’s Road is also open to walk-in appointments for Pfizer vaccinations on Wednesday 14 July, from 3:30 – 8:30pm.
Second jabs are available at the walk-ins if it has been at least eight weeks since the first dose. Getting the second dose is vital to getting longer-lasting and maximum protection offered by the vaccines, with recent research also showing they are highly effective against the Delta/Indian strain of the virus.
To use the walk-in vaccine service people will need to arrive at Hightown Fire Station (Tuesday 13 July) or St Mary’s Fire Station (Wednesday 14 July) between 3:30pm and 8:30pm on foot, there is no parking available at either location.
Vaccines are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and there may be a short wait for people to receive their vaccine.
David Noyes, Chief Operating Officer at Solent NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to once again be working with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to offer walk-in vaccinations at two local fire stations in Southampton – they have been a key partner for us throughout the programme. We have had a mass vaccination centre running at Basingstoke Fire Station since February and have fantastic links within the local community, helping us to offer these life-saving jabs to even more people. Many Firefighters have been trained as vaccinators by Solent and so they have formed a key part of our wonderful team in delivering this vital programme.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s Group Manager for Southampton and the New Forest, Ben Allen, said: “Our fire stations are at the heart of the communities we serve, so we’re pleased that we can help the NHS by making Hightown and St Mary’s available to operate as walk-in vaccination centres for the people of Southampton. Both stations will remain fully operational throughout and we urge everyone who lives nearby to make the most of this opportunity.”
If you cannot attend the walk-in clinics, pre-booked appointments are also available at one of the mass vaccination centres across Hampshire and the IOW by visiting www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119, free of charge. Alternatively, people can contact their GP or click here for details of other walk-in clinics in the area.
Whilst visiting the fire stations for a vaccination, people are reminded to follow the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance to help control the virus.