A raft of pop-up vaccination clinics are being held across the Isle of Wight amid a fresh plea for everyone eligible to take up the offer of a Covid-19 jab.
Solent NHS Trust is working in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to offer clinics at fire stations, giving people an even wider range of opportunities to receive their first, second or booster vaccination.
Who is eligible?
Further clinics will be announced in the coming days and weeks. Clinics will offer Pfizer vaccines only and teams are providing:
- First and second (after 12 weeks of the first dose) vaccinations for young people aged 12-15, as well as 16 and 17-year-olds.
- First and second (after 8 weeks of the first dose) vaccinations for people aged 18 and over.
- Booster vaccinations to people over the age of 18 (3 months after second vaccination).
Where and when
The events will take place on:
- Friday 14th January, 10am – 5pm at Freshwater Fire Station
- Thursday 20th January, 10am – 5pm at Shanklin Fire Station
- Saturday 22nd January, 10am – 5pm at East Cowes Fire Station
- Friday 28th January, 10am – 5pm at Cowes Fire Station
- Monday 17th January, 10am – 5pm (not February) at Sandown Fire Station
Parent or guardian needed
Children aged 12-15 will need to attend a pop-up clinic or vaccination centre with their parent or guardian, who will be asked to give their consent. Children can get a first dose of the vaccine from the day they turn 12.
Any 12-15 year old who has tested positive for Covid-19 must wait 12 weeks before they can have a Covid-19 vaccine. This starts from the date of their positive PCR test.
Anderson: Vaccine is best way to protect yourself and your loved ones
Angela Anderson, Solent NHS Trust’s Clinical Director of Covid-19 vaccinations, said,
“Our dedicated teams are working really hard to ensure we can offer the vaccine to as many people across our communities as possible.
“A big thank you to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service for continuing to support the NHS vaccination programme.
“The Covid-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming seriously ill.
“We continue to increase opportunities to get vaccinated so if you need your first, second or booster jab please come to one of our pop-up clinics or walk into one of our mass vaccination centres.”
Adamson: More than happy to be able to help Solent NHS Trust
Assistant Chief Officer Stew Adamson said,
“As a fire and rescue service we have a responsibility to help protect lives and make our communities safer and the vaccination programme is one of the most important ways in which we can do that right now.
“Our fire stations play an important role in the lives of the communities we serve, so we are more than happy to be able to help Solent NHS Trust again by opening our doors to the public.
“The stations will remain fully operational throughout and this is a great opportunity for people who live nearby to take up the offer of a first, second or booster jab.”
In addition to the walk-in clinics at fire stations, more than 100 firefighters and support staff have volunteered to work as vaccinators or provide administrative support to the booster programme.
Nisbet: A booster can restore protection to around 75 per cent
Dr Matt Nisbet, GP and Clinical Lead of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, said,
“It is fantastic news that there will now be even more opportunities for people to get their jab at pop-up across the area. We are hugely grateful to Solent NHS Trust, Hampshire Fire and Recuse Service, local businesses, community centres and all of our colleagues, partners and volunteers for their continued support.
“The offer of a Covid-19 vaccine is not time-limited so anyone invited can have the jab – even if they have previously declined and changed their mind.
“Latest evidence shows that two vaccines do not give us the protection we need from Omicron due to the speed at which the variant spreads.
“However, a booster can restore protection to around 75 per cent, so we strongly encourage everyone eligible to take up the offer of a booster as soon as possible.”
The mass vaccination centre on the Isle of Wight continues to offer walk-in appointments for all doses between 8am and 8pm seven days a week at the Riverside Centre, Newport.
Vaccinations are also available at walk-in clinics provided by GP practices, outreach clinics, hospital hubs and pharmacies. People are also able to book an appointment through the National Booking System.
For more information visit the Website.
Article edit
3.45pm 12th Jan 2021 – Date of Sandown session updated
News shared on behalf of Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board. Ed
Image: © Google Maps/Streetview
