Pop-up Covid vaccine clinic in Spalding this Saturday - with rollout for all children on the way
A pop-up Covid vaccine clinic will operate in Spalding on Saturday.
The service will be run from the Broad Street Methodist Church between 10am and 4pm.
Boosters and first and second doses are available for anyone eligible - including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to give their consent.
The jabs are administered on a walk-in basis, with no need for a prior appointment.
The mass vaccination centre at the Princess Royal Sports Arena in Wyberton Fen has been closed this week - with Storm Eunice causing damage to the roof.
Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "The team responded magnificently and took all sensible precautions, including moving the vaccination programme off-site.
“They very quickly moved to Fenside Community Centre, just a couple of miles away from PRSA, where they are operating a series of pop-up walk-in sessions, both for people who were previously booked in for an appointment at PRSA, as well as for anyone who wants to walk-in without an appointment.
“Since this temporary move to Fenside Community Centre, the team have been busy vaccinating, and we’re really pleased that people are continuing to come forwards for their vaccinations. We think work will begin next week on repairing the damage to PRSA, and when we know when we can re-open it, we will let people know.”
The vaccination programme is currently focussing on 5-11 year olds who are considered clinically vulnerable and those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed.
In the coming weeks, this will be extended to all children in this age bracket.
Rebecca added: “Following on from the JCVI’s recommendation late last year that all clinically vulnerable 5-11 year-olds should be offered a covid vaccination, the government confirmed last week the expansion of this part of the vaccination programme to ‘healthy’ 5-11 year-olds,” adds Rebecca.
“At the moment we are continuing to vaccinate clinically vulnerable 5-11 year-olds and those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed, and parents or guardians will be contacted by the NHS locally – via a phone call or text message – and offered an appointment.
“The guidance we have from the JCVI indicates healthy 5-11 year-olds will be eligible for a vaccination sometime in April. In addition to this, the JCVI has also recommended an additional booster for those aged over 75, all residents in care homes for older adults, and all over 12s who are immunosuppressed, and this is what we are working towards. In the meantime, please be patient and kind to our staff – when we are able to let you know exactly when and how these parts of the vaccination programme will roll out, we will let you know.”