Mass vaccination centre in Cornwall reaches 100,000 Covid jab milestone
It comes as jabs are now being offered to everyone over the age of 18
A big milestone has been reached at one of Cornwall's mass coronavirus vaccination centres.
On Friday, the site at Stithians Showground hit its 100,000 Covid jab mark, as it opened its doors to everyone over the age of 18 for the first time.
Robyn Coatsworth was among the first 18-year olds to have a vaccine in the Duchy and was also the 100,000th person to be vaccinated at the centre since the vaccination programme began.
Robyn, who is working in the hospitality sector this summer, was eager to get her vaccination as soon as she could.
“It’s really important, I work in an environment where I have contact with lots of people and holidaymakers and whilst we all take the precautions we need, face coverings and social distancing, the risks are going to be higher.
"We’ve seen the impact positive cases and staff having to self-isolate is having on many businesses, so as well as protecting myself, this is about protecting my family, my colleagues and my workplace too.”
Robyn Coatsworth
The vaccination team at Stithians was delighted to welcome Robyn on Friday morning and to be celebrating the amazing milestone of 100,000 vaccinations. So far over 700,000 first and second doses have been given across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
“We’ve all seen how COVID cases are rising rapidly in Cornwall since the easing of restrictions in mid-May. The vaccination programme is absolutely key to beating the virus. Infection rates are now highest in parts of our population who are yet to be vaccinated. Now that vaccinations are open to all adults, we’d urge everyone to book their appointment as soon as possible.”
Nurse and clinic manager, Tamsyn Scoble
Approximately 1.5 million people in England from the age of 18 are now being sent texts inviting them to have their first COVID jab in what the NHS is describing as a "watershed moment."
Appointments can be booked via the national NHS booking service, or phone 119 free of charge. People may also receive a text invitation, which does not expire, appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’ and include a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment.
After one million jabs were booked in England in just two days, social media networks are now encouraging more young people to get theirs.
Snapchat, Reddit, TikTok, and YouTube are part of the campaign.