Over 30 more crucial NHS Vaccination Centres open in England today

33 more essential NHS Vaccination Centres will be opening across the country as the COVID-19 vaccination drive continues to accelerate, NHS England has confirmed today (25th January).

Amongst the new NHS Vaccination Centres are Bath Racecourse, Peterborough City Care Centre, Brighton Centre and Lancaster Town Hall. See the full list of the 33 new sites here

There is now a network of 50 large-scale centres, capable of vaccinating thousands of people a week, in England.

The NHS initially vaccinated the first two priority cohorts recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which are care home residents and staff, and those aged 80 and over and frontline health and care staff.

However, from 18th January 201, NHS England said that NHS Vaccination Centres with enough capacity to vaccinate the following two priority groups – over-70s and clinically extremely vulnerable people – could begin rolling out the jabs to these groups too. The UK Government says that those aged 80 or over will continue to be prioritised for vaccination.

People aged 75 and over are now being invited to book a vaccination at the centres or one of more than 70 pharmacy services now operating across the country.

NHS England says that staff are working around the clock to vaccinate priority groups in line with JCVI recommendations.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I am grateful to all the NHS staff, volunteers and our armed forces for their continued tireless work to offer lifesaving vaccines to the most vulnerable people in our society.

“I urge every eligible person to book your jab when you get invited. By opening up more vaccination sites we are making it easier for people to get their vaccine.

“Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself but a jab doesn’t mean you can drop your guard. It takes time to develop protection and we do not yet know if it stops transmission. For now everyone must continue to play their vital role in this fight by staying at home to save lives.”

If people cannot or do not want to travel to a Vaccination Centre, they can wait to be jabbed by a local GP service or hospital hub, NHS England states.

NHS National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said: “The NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in NHS history, is off to a strong start, with NHS staff working hard to accelerate delivery as more vaccines supplies come on stream, while caring for very large numbers of people who are seriously ill with Covid.

“I am enormously proud of their successful so far. We are determined to save as many lives as possible by vaccinating the most vulnerable as swiftly as we can along with those who care for them.”

The latest openings mean that vaccinations are now available from more than 1,300 NHS sites as part of the biggest immunisation drive in NHS history. NHS England says that appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and people are urged not to turn up early to avoid queues.