The third local vaccination service has opened today at Gamston Community Hall in Rushcliffe.
The site will support the roll out of the national vaccination programme along with two more sites which opened earlier this week in Ashfield and Gedling. Further sites are set to open across our city and county in the coming days and weeks.
83-year-old Great Grandmother Wendy Wain was among the first to receive the jab. The former occupational therapist from West Bridgford said: “I am delighted to be receiving the vaccine if only for my two children, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren who worry so much about me.
“I haven’t seen them all for such a long time and I hope this is the start of the road to being able to see them again safely.”
The NHS are continuing to send letters to eligible people and vaccines will be by appointment only. First priority is for those over the age of 80 and frontline health and social care workers.
Dr Nicole Atkinson, GP and Clinical Lead for South Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Partnership said: “The local vaccination service opening in Gamston today marks another significant moment in the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. I’d like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has been working tirelessly on the vaccination programme.
“The public also have an important role to play to help us with the programme. In order to prioritise vaccination for those most at risk first, we’re asking the public to be patient and wait until they have received a letter from the NHS. Once you do receive a letter, please make your appointment as quickly as possible. Please also remember to follow the guidance in place to help control the spread of the virus and save lives.”
Cllr Simon Robinson, Leader of Rushcluiffe Borough Council said: “This is a wonderful moment for Rushcliffe as we welcome the first vaccination site in the Borough, which will play a vital role in the biggest immunisation programme in NHS history.
“Although the rollout of the vaccine is exciting and we hope it will prove to be a pivotal moment in the fight against COVID-19, I ask people to be patient and wait until they are contacted to be vaccinated. The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn so please don’t turn up at this or any vaccination centre and don’t ring your GP or local hospital.
“I’d encourage everyone who receives a letter inviting them to have the vaccine, to get it. This will protect them from COVID-19 and hopefully help us all return to a more normal way of life as quickly as possible. I’m very proud of everyone who has worked hard to get to this stage. We will continue working with our partners to support the rollout in any way we can.”
It’s important that everyone keeps following the national guidance and lockdown restrictions, whilst remembering to wash our hands, wear a face mask and socially distance.
The public have an important part to play to help:
For more information about the Covid-19 vaccination, please click here – COVID-19 Vaccination in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG (nottm-ccg-archive.ginger-root.co.uk)
