Shropshire Star

Six new vaccination services open to patients across Shropshire

Telford's mass vaccination centre opens to patients today along with five new GP-led vaccination services.

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Members of the public arrive to be vaccinated at Telford International Centre

Telford International Centre opened its doors on Monday to start jabbing health and social care staff, but patients are now able to travel there to get their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The five new GP-led services opening today are at Severn Fields Medical Practice in Shrewsbury, Prees Medical Practice, Church Stretton Medical Practice, Audley Court in Newport and Wellington Medical Practice.

It will mean all GP practices across the county are now covered by the roll out of the programme.

The first people booked in are those at the highest risk of Covid-19.

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People will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn to receive the vaccine and are asked not to contact their GP or hospital.

The timing of when people will get the vaccination depends on the priority group they are in, which is set by the national Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation – an independent expert advisory committee.

Public vaccinations begin at Telford International Centre

Angie Wallace, Covid-19 vaccination programme director for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “As the expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination programme continues to gather pace, we are delighted that Telford International Centre will be used as a large vaccination centre and that five further GP-led sites are now live for people in the county, increasing the availability of more local options.

"GPs, nurses, pharmacists, staff from across the NHS and local authorities, and volunteers have been working incredibly hard to get these sites up and running as quickly as possible and I would like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work and dedication in getting us to this point.

"We are asking the public to support the NHS by not contacting your GP or hospital about your vaccination, we will invite you when it is your time.”

Sanitisation and masks at the entrance in Telford

In the next few weeks, other sites due to open as vaccination centres are expected to include Ludlow Racecourse, the indoor bowling centre at Shrewsbury Sports Village and Whitchurch Civic Centre.

Travelling to get a vaccine during lockdown is allowed, including receiving a lift from someone or using community transport providers.

All eligible residents in Shropshire care homes are also set to receive their first dose of the vaccine by the end of the week.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change, said: “This is welcome news after what has been a very difficult few months for our care homes.

"Too many families have lost loved ones to this dreadful virus and I know this has deeply affected all staff who work so hard to provide care and comfort to residents.

“We are immensely thankful to the NHS and volunteers who have worked around the clock to make this happen."

The Government has pledged that all those in the top four priority categories will receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by mid-February.

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