The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine has stepped up a notch on the Isle of Wight with the opening of the vaccination centre at The Riverside Centre in Newport this morning (Monday).
Up to 500 Islanders a day will now be inoculated at the site, which is open 7 days a week between 08:00-20:00. It compliments vaccination provisions at GP-led and hospital services on the Island at Westridge, Shanklin, Carisbrooke, Freshwater and St Mary’s Hospital.
The first person to receive a jab at Riverside this morning was 71-year-old Paul Carpenter from Ryde. He said:
“I was really keen to have my vaccine and it feels brilliant. I feel it’s a step closer to being able to see my grandchildren who live in London.”
Those who are being vaccinated, as well as harbour users, will need to travel into the area via Fairlee Road, through Seaclose. There will be no access to the centre via Sea Street. When leaving the Riverside Centre or harbour, vehicles can exit over the bridge via Sea Street, or can return via Seaclose and Fairlee Road.
Pay and display parking and drop of points will be made available on the harbour. Pedestrians can access the site on foot from any direction.
Dr Michele Legg, GP and chair of NHS Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“The opening of the Riverside Centre vaccination centre on the island is great news for our community. As well as having four GP-led vaccination sites and the St Mary’s Hospital Hub, having a sixth will really help us vaccinate our residents as quickly as vaccinations reach us.
“It is great news that the opening of the vaccination centre will help us provide the first dose to many more people, this alone will not slow the spread of this virus. We must continue to wash our hands regularly for 20 seconds, wear a face covering outdoors and maintain social distancing.
“I want to thank everyone for all their efforts in keeping this up over the past 10 months and make a plea that they continue to do so”.
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has said:
“I am delighted the Island’s vaccine hub has opened at the Riverside Centre, which is in addition to the four primary care vaccination sites. Up to an extra 500 Islanders per day can be vaccinated, depending on vaccine flow. I thank everyone involved.
“I pay tribute to Kate Bingham for all her hard work as Chair of the Vaccine Taskforce and everyone involved in the UK vaccination process. It has been a remarkable achievement. By acting early and decisively, we have secured priority orders for different vaccines, The UK’s vaccination programme is leading the way. We are seeing vaccines developed, tested and manufactured in the UK.
“I see no reason why in due course we should not be helping other nations, but that should be on the basis of friendly cooperation, not threats and demands.
“Thank you to all working this weekend on the Island: it’s been a major undertaking and a substantial addition. However, vaccine takes time to work. The protection takes up to three weeks to kick in. Please continue to be careful”.
It is currently unknown how many people have been vaccinated on the Isle of Wight, but it is estimated to be in excess of 30,000 adults. Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over 266,000 people have now received their first dose.
Personally I think parking should be free if you are there for your Covid vaccine
Personally I would be happy to pay £10 to have a potentially life saving vaccine.
Really you should have parking meters on every road on the island.Free parking outside your house should be abolished and bring in parking permits or a parking meter.Also any vehicle should have to pay £1 per every mile they drive.
And on top of that lot, you should pay 90% of your income to the Government, and donate your state pension to the homeless…
Grow up you petulant child..
Ho, chill out you miserable git, you bloody snowflakes get on my nerves..
That’s because you have the views of an utter moron.
1_ Masks are not the answer. Lockdowns are not. School closures are not. Travel bans are not. The early Israeli data suggest vaccines won’t be either. (Just as they aren’t for the flu.) A year in, the choice is ever clearer: Live with the corona, or destroy ourselves trying to stop it.Regrettably, people die, some of them due to this virus & some despite having recently been administered a vaccine.
Why do you write such boring crap none of it has any substance or interesting
information. You must be the most boring and lonely person on the Island.,
You are obviously a lovely person. 🙂
Sound’s better than you .
NEW – Flu cases in England have plunged by more than 95% to levels not seen for 130 years (Sky)
Probably attributed to covid.
Let them find out themselves real islander. ! They will soon realise what we have been saying is true,but it will be to late! I can see us never having a normal life again, so for me personally, I hope that silly fool biden pushes the wrong red button and that will surely put an end to this crap!
It’s good to pay for parking so the council can make money from this pandemic.
I would be happy to pay for my vaccine too but I’d rather pay central government than the isle of wight council as seen as they forked out for it. It would be a very nice gesture for the Isle of wight council to offer free parking there whilst the vaccination centre is open rather than profiteering on it. I’d bet they have a dedicated traffic warden there too to make sure every available fine is issued too. They seem to be rotten to the core when it comes to parking.
Ha ha ha dont worry your wish will come true, you will pay dearly!
If you went to St. Mary’s you’d have to pay for parking so why should here be any different.
Not if you park round the corner.
the parking at st marys is free at the moment
Parking at St Marys has been free since the first lockdown
Stop winging and be grateful the vaccine is being rolled out, it will save lives, a few pennies is a small price to pay..
It does not work unfortunately…
Obviously
Obviously you have a tiny penis
Lol
I don’t actually have one, however, I’m sure you will find one soon, try looking in the mirror…
And I am sure that Beach Comber and Truth have one brain cell each .
As of this morning no-one seems to have told NHS online that Riverside is open.
So how are people being selected as no one can make a booking online or through any other channel
i see all the same idiots leaving all the idiotic comments on here.
Well said ‘off to work’. I totally agree.
Despite trying since Saturday and no offers on the island I am now being told I have missed my two appointments!
dr legge needs to get her sums right according to her sums issued 21st jan there is over 200000 people living on the island
She doesn’t get ‘out’ much since lock down.
Are they giving the Pfizer vaccine, or is that just for the elite!
Does anyone know what Vaccine is being used on the Island
Oxford or Pfizer etc?
Mostly Pfizer at vaccine centres and the hospital. Oxford one at smaller sites like doctor’s surgeries and care homes.
Thank you I did wonder.
I am not sure too which one is the best.
Relations on the mainland have had Oxford and Pfizer at the same Hospital
I have no idea why they were given different ones.
They both are fine and happy to have had theirs.
John IF someone is allergic to say penicillin or something the Oxford one is used instead, or might be the other way round, but they know the right one, so let them know if you have any such issues first.
Thank you for the information.
Regards
logged on Saturday, Sunday and today. Offered Poole Southampton Guildford Salisbury Ludgershall (in the middle of Salisbury Plain) Thought our MP was going to stop offers being made for mainland centres.