New Covid-19 mass vaccination centre opens at Lancaster Town Hall

Lancaster City Council, which owns the building, has been working with the NHS to provide the centre, which will begin providing vaccinations from Monday January 25.

It will provide vaccinations to thousands of people who live within a 45-minute distance.

The centre - along with another new mass vaccination centre also opening today in Blackpool - will be using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

Around 75 per cent of local people aged 80 and over have so far been vaccinated in lancashire and south Cumbria,, thanks to partnership working across NHS, local authorities, public sector, health and care staff, volunteers and other partners.

All those who are eligible will receive a letter from the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service, telling them how they can book their appointment.

Everyone who visits the centre for an appointment will be given the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is being distributed using a priority system.

Those aged over the age of 70 are being offered it first, along with those in the extremely clinically vulnerable group who are at greater risk from the complications of Covid-19.

If you receive a letter from the national NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service and you book an appointment, please make sure you attend it. The sooner you get your vaccination, when eligible, the earlier you will be protected from Covid-19.

Coun Dr Erica Lewis, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “We are extremely grateful and excited to be able to support the NHS and our communities by opening up the town hall as a vaccination centre. To do so has been a huge logistical operation and my thanks go to all of those who have worked so hard behind the scenes to make it happen.

“The vaccine rollout is instrumental in the fight against Covid-19 and I would urge everyone to book an appointment when it is their turn to do so. But remember - even when you are vaccinated, it’s vitally important to continue to break the chain of infection by washing our hands, using a face covering and keeping our distance from others.”

Jane Scattergood, Covid-19 Vaccination Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said: “As the expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination programme continues to gather pace, we are delighted that Blackpool Winter Gardens and Lancaster Town Hall will both also be used as large vaccination centres and that community pharmacy-led sites are now beginning to open, increasing availability of more local options.

"GPs, nurses, pharmacists, staff from across partners and volunteers are worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to get the site ready as part of the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations.

"We are planning for more vaccination centres to go live in Lancashire and South Cumbria over the coming weeks. We are asking the public to support the NHS by not contacting your GP about your vaccination, we will invite you when it is your time.

“The rollout of the vaccine and establishing these sites involves a wide range of organisations working together. We need to thank the significant support to the NHS to deliver the Covid-19 vaccination programme from our wider partners including Lancashire County Council, Cumbria County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council, our district councils, the military, police, local businesses and many more.”

People who book into the Lancaster Town Hall vaccination centre will be greeted by volunteers, who will register them when they arrive.

Bookings are staggered to allow social distancing. People will receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab and the whole service will be led and overseen by trained nurses.

In addition to Lancaster Town Hall, vaccinations are being offered at GP surgeries, Morecambe Football Club and Lancaster University. For those unable to leave home, arrangements will be made to ensure they can receive their vaccinations without having to travel.

If you receive a letter but you don’t yet see your preferred option on the booking site, keep checking back until a slot becomes available.