A raft of pop-up vaccination clinics are being held across the Isle of Wight amid a fresh plea for everyone eligible to take up the offer of a COVID-19 jab.
Solent NHS Trust is running sessions at a number of local fire stations as part of a partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, giving people an even wider range of opportunities to receive their first, second or booster vaccination.
Further clinics will be announced in the coming days and weeks. Clinics will offer Pfizer vaccines only and teams are providing:
- First and second (after 12 weeks of the first dose) vaccinations for young people aged 12-15, as well as 16 and 17-year-olds.
- First and second (after 8 weeks of the first dose) vaccinations for people aged 18 and over.
- Booster vaccinations to people over the age of 18 (3 months after second vaccination).
The events will take place on:
- Friday 14th January, 10:00-17:00 at Freshwater Fire Station
- Thursday 20th January, 10:00-17:00 at Shanklin Fire Station
- Saturday 22nd January, 10:00-17:00 at East Cowes Fire Station
- Friday 28th January, 10:00-17:00 at Cowes Fire Station
- Monday 17th January, 10:00-17:00 at Sandown Fire Station
Children aged 12-15 will need to attend a pop-up clinic or vaccination centre with their parent or guardian, who will be asked to give their consent. Children can get a first dose of the vaccine from the day they turn 12.
Any 12-15 year old who has tested positive for COVID-19 must wait 12 weeks before they can have a COVID-19 vaccine. This starts from the date of their positive PCR test.
Angela Anderson, Solent NHS Trust’s Clinical Director of COVID-19 vaccinations, said:
“Our dedicated teams are working really hard to ensure we can offer the vaccine to as many people across our communities as possible.
Article continues below this advertisement “A big thank you to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service for continuing to support the NHS vaccination programme. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming seriously ill. We continue to increase opportunities to get vaccinated so if you need your first, second or booster jab please come to one of our pop-up clinics or walk into one of our mass vaccination centres.”
Assistant Chief Officer Stew Adamson said:
“As a fire and rescue service we have a responsibility to help protect lives and make our communities safer and the vaccination programme is one of the most important ways in which we can do that right now.
“Our fire stations play an important role in the lives of the communities we serve, so we are more than happy to be able to help Solent NHS Trust again by opening our doors to the public.
“The stations will remain fully operational throughout and this is a great opportunity for people who live nearby to take up the offer of a first, second or booster jab.”
The mass vaccination centre at Riverside Centre, Newport continues to offer walk-in appointments for all doses between 08:00 and 20:00, 7 days a week.
Vaccinations are also available at walk-in clinics provided by GP practices, outreach clinics, hospital hubs and pharmacies. People are also able to book an appointment through the National Booking System at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/.
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