People come to Berkshire from as far a field as Cornwall for booster jabs
Newbury vaccination centre closes to walk-ins due to demand
The government-fueled, pre-Christmas booster rush has seen people coming as far afield at Cornwall to get a jab in West Berkshire.
The government is stepping up its drive to get more people both vaccinated and boosted – suggesting people should go to walk in centres.
But there are currently only two walk-in centres nearby. One in Reading and a pop-up in Hungerford.
Newbury’s Kennet Centre vaccine centre, which has upped the number of booking slots, is now only taking those with prior bookings.
That leaves the Hungerford Cricket Club pop-up clinic as the only booster centre for 60 miles.
In an email sent to volunteers, it is reportedly seeing people turning up from as far afield as Bristol, Southampton and Cornwall.
The email goes on to say: “We have stopped accepting new bookings on the council’s website for the fear of being overwhelmed.
“While it’s great people are coming forward, ideally we wanted to support the local population who were struggling to access their boosters.”
Where to go:
In Hungerford, the booster walk-in pop up centre at the Cricket Ground is currently running on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week between 10am and 6pm.
In Reading, The Broad Street Mall mass vaccination site is now available for walk-ins for booster, first and second doses of COVID vaccinations.
They are able to see anyone over the age of 12 and the site is open from 9.30am to 7.30pm. Residents will be offered Moderna or Pfizer.
This week, the NHS Health on the Move van will be in and around West Berkshire, offering first, second and booster Pfizer vaccines.
Locations are:
Kintbury Coronation Hall, December 14 and 15 – 10:00 – 18:00.
Thatcham Catholic Hall, December 16 – 10:00 – 17:00
Riverside Community Centre, Newbury, December 17 – 10:00 – 17:00
Woolhampton Village Hall, December 18 – 10:00 – 18:00