The centre will be located on the ground floor of the Grafton Shopping Centre at Unit 30 (next to H&M) and provides an additional option to the vaccination hubs already successfully delivering vaccinations in local hospitals and by GPs across Cambridgeshire.
Dr David Vickers, Medical Director, 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 28 January 2021, 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.”
Letters are being sent out by the national booking service initially to people aged 80 and over (widening to other age groups in the coming weeks) who live up to a 45 minute drive from the centre, inviting them to book an appointment either online or over the phone.
If anyone has already received a jab since the letter was sent out or would prefer to wait to be invited to attend a hospital or GP service, they can simply ignore it.
John O’Shea, Centre Manager of The Grafton, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust team into the Centre. In a year that has been challenging for everyone, the arrival of the vaccine is light at the end of the tunnel and we are very proud to play a part in this momentous roll-out programme.”
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 Shopping 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’.”
Covid-19 vaccinations are now being delivered across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – by appointment only - through:
- Hospital Hubs at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge; Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge; the Peterborough City Hospital; and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon.
- The Vaccination Centres at Unit 30, The Grafton Shopping Centre, Cambridge CB1 1PS and at the City Care Centre, Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6DB with more centres coming on line in the coming weeks.
- Local Vaccine Services – provided by GPs and Pharmacies across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – more information on these services here
Image by Wilfried Pohnke from Pixabay