The Grafton centre to host Cambridge’s first large-scale Covid-19 vaccination centre
The Grafton centre is to host Cambridge’s new large-scale Covid-19 vaccination centre, it has been revealed.
Opening on Thursday January 28, it will be located at Unit 30, next to H&M, on the ground floor of the shopping centre.
Dr David Vickers, medical director at Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which is co-ordinating delivery of the large vaccination centres across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “We are delighted to be launching the first large vaccination centre in Cambridge on Thursday January 28 , with more centres being rolled out in the coming weeks. The life-saving jab will initially be offered to people aged 80 and over - widening to other age groups in the coming weeks - along with health and care staff.
“The centre is capable of delivering thousands of vaccines in the coming weeks and provides a major boost to our plans to offer protection to those who would benefit most as quickly as possible.”
The Cambridge Independent was first to reveal earlier this month that Cambridge was to get a new large vaccination centre, but the location had remained unconfirmed until now.
Letters are being sent by the national booking service to people over 80, with other age groups following, who live up to a 45-minute drive from the centre, inviting them to book an appointment online or over the phone.
Health officials advised that anyone who has already received a jab since the letter was sent out or who would prefer to wait to be invited to attend a hospital or GP service can simply ignore it.
Meanwhile, Peterborough is also getting its first large-scale vaccination centre. It will open at the Peterborough City Care Centre from Wednesday January 27, 2021.
Dr Gary Howsam, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group chair and local GP, added: “NHS staff are doing an incredible job to deliver what it is the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as providing vital services for people who need our care.
“Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine; we will contact you. When you are contacted, please attend your booked appointment. Appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and people are urged not to turn up early to avoid queues.
“It is vital that you do not attend The Grafton centre vaccination centre if you do not have an appointment as you will not be able to receive a vaccination.
“I urge people across Cambridgeshire to continue following all the guidance to control the virus and save lives – that means staying at home as much as you can, and always remembering ‘hands, face and space’.”
The closest entrances to Unit 30 are on Wellington Street and Crispin Street, next to the bus interchange. Entrances on Napier Street and North Service Yard will not be open.
Access via the Fitzroy Street entrance is possible but is the furthest away from the vaccination centre.
It follows the addition of new primary care networks (PCNs) - groups of GP practices - in and around Cambridge to the vaccination effort last week. The new centres are at:
• Clay Farm Centre (CAM Medical PCN) - vaccinating patients at Lensfield Medical Practice, Newnham Walk Surgery, Trumpington Street Medical Practice
• Over and Milton Community Centres (Cambs North Villages PCN) - vaccinating patients at Cottenham Surgery, Firs House Surgery, Maple Surgery (Bar Hill), Milton Surgery, Over Surgery, Swavesey Surgery, Waterbeach Surgery, Willingham Medical Practice
• East Barnwell (Cambridge City PCN) - vaccinating patients at East Barnwell Health Centre, Bottisham Medical Practice, Nuffield Road Medical Centre, Arbury Road Surgery, York Street Medical Practice, Cambridge Access Surgery
• Royston Health Centre (Meridian PCN) - vaccinating patients at Bourn Surgery, Comberton Surgeries, Harston Surgery, Orchard Surgery, Roysia Surgery and Royston Health Centre
• Alconbury Surgery (A1 PCN) - vaccinating patients at Little Paxton, Alconbury and Brampton Surgeries, Almond Road Surgery, Buckden and Little Paxton practices, Kimbolton Medical Practice and Wellside Surgery
See our full list of current vaccination sites in Cambridgeshire.
Who will administer vaccinations?
The government recently altered legislation to allow a wider group of people than usual to administer vaccines, including more health care professionals as well as others who have completed the clinical training needed to administer vaccines.
What is the priority order for vaccinations?
Priority groups determined by the Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation (JCVI)
• residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
• all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
• all those 75 years of age and over
• all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
• all those 65 years of age and over
• all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
• all those 60 years of age and over
• all those 55 years of age and over
• all those 50 years of age and over
Read more
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